While you're hard at work, you expect the people you trust to look after your children are working just as hard to keep them safe.
But the state has uncovered major violations at one daycare center here in the East.
The
The North Carolina Division of Child Development is now imposing heavy sanctions on the center, which works with some disabled children, for what it calls “child neglect” -- saying the center violated a number of child care requirements.
Among the violations -- a teacher was seen repeatedly pinching and hitting children.
One assistant teacher is accused of hitting children, sometimes with books. And the state claims another pushed one child's head into a bookcase.
In other cases, teachers are accused of slamming children against doors. And when one child went missing, the state says it took the center more than a half-hour to report the missing child to police.
While three of the employees in question either resigned or were fired, one still works for the center on a part-time basis and the executive director is still in charge.
Nine On Your Side spoke with several parents outside the center on Friday afternoon. And while most said they were shocked by these violations -- and having second thoughts about leaving their kids here -- one woman said there's nowhere else she'd rather for her son to be.
“I am the first one to stand up for them and say their work here is great,” said Sarah Lewis.
She says her 13-year-old son is autistic -- and she moved to
She says there are two sides to this story, and that the state's report may not tell all of it.
Either way, this center now has to answer tough questions from both the state and these parents.
The center's executive director didn't respond to our repeated requests for an interview.
The state is allowing the day care to stay open but says if any other violations are found there, the center's license could be revoked.
To see the state’s full report, just enter the keyword Abuse here on WNCT.com.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement