COLUMBUS — A flash drive with Social Security numbers and other personal information from 2,600 former Dayton-area Delphi workers was removed from the unattended laptop of a state employee and is missing.

Helen Jones-Kelley, director of the Job and Family Services department, said on Friday, Aug. 1, that letters have been sent to all those affected. The incident occurred on July 25 in Lebanon, Jones-Kelley said.

The drive included the names, addresses, telephone numbers as well as the Social Security numbers of the workers.

"We are also doing an investigation with the state Highway Patrol about what happened," Jones-Kelley said. "The flash drive was removed from her lap top while she (the employee) was having lunch."

Jones-Kelley declined to identify the employee but said that leaving the laptop unattended was a violation of department policy. Depending on the circumstances, the breach could lead to disciplinary action up to and including termination, Jones-Kelley said.

Contact this reporter at (614) 224-1608 or whershey@DaytonDailyNews.com.