The Crown has stayed a charge of assault against the CEO of a Kamloops social agency.

Interior Community Services (ICS) said Kelly Kelland will return to her position as CEO.

The Crown entered a stay of proceedings on a charge of assault stemming from a domestic incident on July 8 this year at the Monte Creek home Kelland shared with her partner.

Following a review of the file, prosecutor Chris Balison said the Crown determined there was not a substantial likelihood of a conviction on the charge.

Shelly Bonnah, ICS’s acting CEO, said Monday there is relief within the organization the charges were stayed and Kelland will return to her role as its leader.

“Staff are fully aware of what’s going on and we support Kelly,” Bonnah said.

Kelland could not be reached for comment.

Kelland’s lawyer, David Paul, said publicity of the charge has been damaging to his client, a community leader and a member of Canada’s Olympic softball team in 1996.

Kelland was inducted into the Kamloops Sports Hall of Fame in 2011, when she was 48, following her time playing softball at Ohio State University, where she set the university record for strikeouts in a season and where she also earned a teaching degree.

“My client is relieved. Justice is done and the matter was resolved quickly,” Paul said.

ISC’s board announced last week Kelland would be on a leave until the matter was resolved.

“She’s a person who, for 25 years, worked extremely hard to serve people in the community and she has a terrific reputation,” Paul said.

Interior Community Services is a non-profit agency providing about 50 programs in 32 communities.

It offers support and services to about 1,100 people, from infants to seniors.

By Cam Fortems, Kamloops this Week