Probation officer failed to protect battered woman

NEW ORLEANS — The Fifth Circuit reversed a Texas federal court’s dismissal of a Federal Tort Claims Act and negligence lawsuit filed by a woman who says her probation officer failed to take steps to protect her following her ex-boyfriend’s death threats. Her assailant was on parole from firearm, drug and assault convictions when he assaulted the woman for not picking him up after he left a reentry facility without permission. The officer’s failure to take minimal action was not protected by the discretionary function exception.