A Boone County man faces six charges after investigators say he sent two severely injured girls home from a Gallatin County school instead of calling police.

Alan Zhang, 24, a worker with the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services (DCBS), was arrested Tuesday, Sept. 29, by the Boone County Sheriff's Office on a Gallatin County warrant. He is charged with second-degree official misconduct, second-degree wanton endangerment, two counts of failure to report child dependency, neglect or abuse and two counts of fourth-degree assault involving complicity, according to court records.

Zhang posted $5,000 cash bond and was released the same day, WCPO reported.

The charges stem from an Aug. 28 incident at Gallatin County Lower Elementary School. Staff contacted DCBS after two girls, ages 6 and 8, arrived with visible injuries. According to a criminal complaint, Zhang arrived about three and a half hours later, interviewed the children and asked a school nurse to photograph their injuries.

The complaint alleges Zhang repeatedly asked school staff whether they had called law enforcement. Staff told him more than once that they believed the Cabinet could make that call if necessary.

After speaking with his supervisor, Heather Baxter, Zhang allegedly returned and told school officials he "wasn't comfortable with the situation" but instructed them to send the girls home, the complaint states. Investigators allege Zhang never called law enforcement himself.

The girls arrived home about 30 minutes before Gallatin County sheriff's deputies got there, according to court documents. Investigators allege the children were abused again during that window.

School officials had called the girls' mother twice. During the second call, investigators say Kyle Reynolds, the mother's boyfriend, could be heard screaming and cursing. The school then called 911.

Once deputies reached the home, one contacted Baxter, who said Zhang had not relayed the extent of the children's injuries, according to the complaint. Baxter sent Zhang back to the home to redo his investigation.

A deputy wrote in the complaint that Zhang showed "complete disregard for his duty or the integrity of his investigation." Court documents also allege Zhang told an EMS worker he "had places to be" and needed to leave.

Both girls were taken to Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Forensic exams documented 32 visible injuries on one child and 23 on the other, including black eyes, strangulation marks and bruising across their faces, heads and arms, according to court documents. WLWT reported the exams also found bruising on the torsos, backs, buttocks and legs. Investigators noted those counts included only injuries visible while the girls were clothed.

Reynolds, 23, and the girls' mother, Phyllis Culp, 29, were previously charged in connection with the alleged abuse. Reynolds faces charges including attempted murder and first-degree strangulation. A judge found probable cause to send both cases to a grand jury and set their bonds at $1 million each.

Gallatin County attorney Grant Axon told WCPO the investigation is not over.

"He is not the only individual at the Cabinet who may be facing similar charges," Axon said.

Axon said communication between Zhang and Baxter is now a focus of the continuing investigation. No statement from Zhang or an attorney representing him appeared in available court records or published reports.

The Cabinet for Health and Family Services said in a statement that it recognizes the seriousness of the allegations and is reviewing the situation.

The two girls are in foster care. Efforts are underway to place them with relatives, according to Axon.

Zhang is scheduled to appear in Gallatin District Court on Tuesday, Oct. 20.