Melanie Maria King-Shaw has filed a lawsuit against her former employer, alleging a series of discriminatory practices and retaliatory actions that culminated in her wrongful termination. The complaint was lodged on January 14, 2025, in the Circuit Court of the 6th Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida, targeting Family Support Services of Suncoast, LLC.

King-Shaw’s legal battle began after she reported an incident of sexual harassment by a coworker named Jennifer. Despite notifying management about the inappropriate behavior, no disciplinary measures were taken against the accused. This inaction allegedly set off a chain of events leading to King-Shaw’s unfair treatment at work. She claims she was burdened with additional tasks outside her job description and faced comments from her manager suggesting she was “making too much money.” These incidents are central to her allegations of sex discrimination under the Florida Civil Rights Act (FCRA) and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The plaintiff’s narrative further unfolds with accusations that she was wrongfully terminated based on unfounded claims. She was accused during a Zoom meeting with her supervisor Amber and Director Carlos of telling a foster child to “run” and allowing another child to call her boyfriend “dad,” both allegations she denies. Additionally, she was charged with napping during shifts—a practice for which she had prior permission due to extended working hours caused by staff shortages. King-Shaw asserts that similar allowances were made for male colleagues, underscoring her claim of gender-based discrimination.