The Allegheny County district attorney's office confirmed yesterday that it is working with county police to investigate an alleged assault on a resident of Shuman Juvenile Detention Center by an employee.

"We're reviewing the incident to see if it's a crime," said Mike Manko, spokesman for District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr.

A boy was taken to Children's Hospital Friday for a two-night stay after telling his lawyer during a juvenile court hearing that a male Shuman employee smashed his head against a wall. The lawyer alerted the judge, who ordered the boy to the hospital for treatment.

The state Department of Welfare is also investigating.

Shuman Director William T. "Jack" Simmons said a preliminary internal probe found no evidence of an assault on the boy.

The Shuman worker, who was not identified, was "taken off the schedule" without pay during the investigation, Mr. Simmons said.