COLUMBUS — A state employee based in Dayton is at the center of an investigation into a missing flash drive with the Social Security numbers and other personal information from 2,600 Dayton-area former Delphi workers.

Helen Jones-Kelley, director of the state Job and Family Services department, on Tuesday, Aug. 5, identified the employee as Camille Humble, 30.

According to state records, Humble earns $39,644 annually and is a customer service representative at the Job and Family Services Job Center in Dayton.

In a related development, the state has notified the workers that that are eligible for identity theft prevention and protection services through Debix for one year at no charge. They may register online at www.debix.com/stateofohio or using a form that was mailed to them.

The flash drive containing the Social Security numbers as well as the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the former Delphi workers was removed on July 25 from Humble's unattended laptop, Jones-Kelley has said. The information was on the drive because of the workers' involvement in a benefits rights training program for workers who might qualify for federal trade adjustment assistance.

Leaving the laptop unattended was a violation of department policy and the breach could lead to disciplinary action up to and including termination, Jones-Kelley said.

There could be mitigating circumstances, she said. Humble said that she thought coworkers were going to stay in the room where the laptop was while she was gone, according to Jones-Kelley.

"Is there anything that would mitigate how this came about? We're trying to be very thorough in the process," Jones-Kelley said.

Humble could not be reached for comment.

Jones-Kelley said that interviews have been conducted and that the investigation should be wrapped up in the next week.

In Dayton, Donna Brown, wife of a Delphi retiree whose information was on the flash drive, said she was "not pushing the panic button but I am concerned."

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