RALEIGH, N.C. — Four employees have been placed on leave while North Carolina officials investigate a patient neglect case at a state mental hospital in Goldsboro.

The Raleigh News & Observer reported Thursday that a psychiatrist, a physician assistant and two health care technicians at Cherry Hospital are on paid leave during the investigation of a Jan. 27 incident.

The newspaper said three temporary nurses have been told not to return because of their potential involvement.

Department of Health and Human Services spokesman Mark Van Sciver said he could not disclose other information about the neglect accusation.

Three employees were fired and 10 others were disciplined after a man died last April after he choked on his medicine and was left in a chair for 22 hours without food, water or medical attention.