Web Cam Leads To Child Care License Suspension

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Reporter: Abby Barnett
Email Address: abby.barnett@kake.com

28 comments

Learn and Grow Depot EOS

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State officials have issued an Emergency Order of Suspension against the Learn and Grow Depot Child Care center in Abilene, and investigators say some of the evidence came from the center's web cam.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued the order against Learn and Grown Depot Child Development Center at 1003 N. Brady.

Investigators reviewed videos from the web cam over a two week period. Investigators reported seeing disturbing images, including;

Toddler-aged children being tied to chairs during meals;

A child, still tied to the chair, being shoved and flung against a wall;

A teacher putting her leg over a child to keep the child on a cot at nap time.

A child "pinned under the sink" because she would not be quiet during nap time.

The child care operators have 15 days to request a hearing on the suspension.

You can check to see if your child's day care has been subject of state action. You can can call KDHE's Child Care Licensing and Registration office at (785) 296-1270 or e-mail to cclr@kdhe.state.ks.us. You must provide the name of the facility and an address.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Abilene on Dec 5, 2008 at 04:27 PM
Well, they didn't.

Posted by: msp on Dec 5, 2008 at 01:01 PM
all the teachers had to at least know about what was going on

Posted by: A Nony Mouse Location: Abilene on Dec 4, 2008 at 04:39 PM
As a parent, I just want to express my whole-hearted support for Learn and Grow Depot. Some of you may think I am an unfit mother to want my child to return to Learn and Grow. My child was not in either of the rooms where these allegations occurred. She was well cared for and misses her teachers dearly. If you are sitting in an office right now, do you know what is going on two doors down? Learn and Grow is set up in developmentally appropriate age-grouped rooms, and many teachers were just as shocked to find out as we parents were. Oh, and not every teacher is a "monster". A few teachers did unthinkable things and my heart breaks for those children and their families. But not all of them are "bad apples". I wish we could find a way to make it all better. I trust the Mark Miller will do all in his power to correct these issues so that the teachers who have done no wrong can return to work and the children can return to play with their friends and their teachers.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 4, 2008 at 03:54 PM
Actually, there were many complaints that "the director" didn't attend to before she went on maternity leave. Parents just don't know the whole situation. I agree with the "clean house" approach! The teachers that had nothing to do with this case should be able to keep their jobs, but I think the management is to blame!

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 4, 2008 at 03:22 PM
Wouldn't expect a stay-at-home mom to know about the working world, but most people are not allowed to spend their day at work watching their children on camera. In fact, our work computers won't even let us access the webcam at all. Don't even try to blame working parents for this! I hate the way the news has made the Learn and Grow out to be this horrible place. It's not like that at all! The teacher in the preschool class had only been the lead teacher for a couple of weeks! She was new! I do agree with the comment about Memorial Hospital. The hospital needs to take responsibilty for wrong-doings. They weren't watching out for our children. While the director was on maternity leave, her SUPERVISOR should have been keeping a close eye on the center... not just leaving it to run itself. Maybe the hospital shouldn't have opened this center if they don't want to be actively involved. Can't imagine that this will make people want to use the hospital either.

Posted by: AlasticIT Location: Maize on Dec 4, 2008 at 01:29 PM
We offer nanny cam installs with a discount to any licensed daycare. Have your daycare call us and you can see your kids anytime , anywhere! www.alasticit.com

Posted by: Someone that cares Location: Abilene on Dec 4, 2008 at 12:04 PM
I think that the Director needs to be fired, she doesn't even check to see what the "teachers" that work for her do. The place needs to "clean house" and start all over on hiring - that's your job Mark Miller to see that it gets done. Where are the police on this matter?? I can't believe that no one has been put in jail yet.

Posted by: Jennifer Location: Abilene on Dec 4, 2008 at 09:03 AM
My son's teacher at Learn and Grow is wonderful. But now doesn't this make anyone wonder what goes on in in-home daycares without webcams????

Posted by: anonymous on Dec 4, 2008 at 07:36 AM
Wake up people,Kansas childcare licensing system is a mess!!! Do you even know who is doing the licensing?? Did you know some counties don't even have a surveyor. Call your senator and get the licensing changed!!

Posted by: Danielle Location: S. Wichita on Dec 3, 2008 at 09:34 PM
Why is it that an outsider was able to see the abuse.... and not the parents? If my children are at a daycare where I can periodically view them on web cam, UMMM I'M GOING TO! I wonder how long this had actually been going on, if the director (the "great director" who hired everyone)was out for two months. How old were these children, and dont the parents ask what "what happened at daycare today?" If they were laying on cots to sleep, I'm sure they were old enough to answer that question. I'm sooo thankful to my husband that I get to raise my own children. We might be dirt poor, but my children will be enriched by the stability and safety of my home.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 3, 2008 at 08:14 PM
I think the problem goes all the way back to Memorial Hospital. It is a business to them. It doesn't seem like they have a clue. I hope these children are not permanently scared by this. It seems like all they care about is saving their own skin. And that is really sad. I hope the parents of these children demand that something is done. Not only to the individuals that did the physical and emotional abuse but the higher up people who oversees this center. Because in my opinion the people that were in charge of creating this center should pay.

Posted by: Sandie Location: Abilene on Dec 3, 2008 at 07:34 PM
Our children have attended Learn and Grow Depot since its opening last year. I would like to point out that the director, Jill Nussbam, has been on leave for the last two months. She was not actively directing the center when this occurred. Our daughter was one of the children involved in this horrible nightmare. My heart breaks when I think of how much worse it could have been. I believe this happened as a result of not hiring qualified teachers and being too short-staffed to truly "run" the daycare. The acting director was trying to wear too many hats and horrible things have happened. Jill is an EXCELLENT director and I am sure she will have Learn and Grow back to what it always was (and even better yet!)There are many wonderful childcare providers at Learn and Grow. Thanks to all of them for their hard work.

Posted by: Sue Location: Wichita on Dec 3, 2008 at 07:00 PM
My heart ache every time I read about children being abuse,That is the low life in this country. one bad apple can get away because there is no one watching her.

Posted by: MICHELLE on Dec 3, 2008 at 03:54 PM
Thank God for webcams!!! I hope this place never re-opens and the horrible people that did this stuff to kids, burn in hell.

Posted by: msp Location: wichita on Dec 3, 2008 at 01:55 PM
nony mouse and saddened parent take your kid out now or they will be next and guy it was caught on web cam read the article

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 3, 2008 at 01:34 PM
Again, this is why I won't leave my children with anyone, not even in our family. I had them, it's my job to raise them even if it means struggling until they can take care of themselves, and no longer depend on me for it. I'm not blaming the parents in this situation at all, this has to be a choice that benefits your family, and some don't have the luxury of being stay home parents. It's the director's fault, and the people responsible's fault for what has happened to these little ones. I'm praying for the kids, their families, and the staff that were not aware of this stuff happening. I hope Justice is swift, but I doubt that it will be.

Posted by: DONT WORRY ABOUT IT Location: NONYA on Dec 3, 2008 at 01:30 PM
I BELIVE THIS IS A BUNCH OF MADDNESS. I BELIEVE THAT WE DO HAVE PROVIDERS THAT CARE FOR OUR CHILDREN. INFACT I BEEN WITH THE SAME PROVIDER FOR 5 YEARS. I WISH WE COULD TAKE THEM TO WORK WITH US!!!!! MY PRAYER GOES OUT TO THE FAMILIES THAT WERE INVOLVED. IM SORRY THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD THAT JUST DINT CARE AND THEY DONT NEED TO BE WORKING WITH CHILDREN. THATS BS....

Posted by: Saddened Parent on Dec 3, 2008 at 10:57 AM
My child attended this childcare for since it has been open. I have been lucky to always have great teachers caring for him! I agree with the bad apple-not all spoiled fruit comment. I have NEVER had any issues with this childcare, and my son absolutely loves this place! Do remember that this daycare is divided into 5 different age appropriate classrooms, and that these accusations were only in certian rooms, NOT ALL OF THEM! It has put such a burden on our family to find other care for our son. I hope the people responsible pat theirselves on the back for what a horrible job they have done. I hope L&G Depot trains, and follows up with the employees, if they receive the license back.

Posted by: A Nony Mouse Location: Abilene, KS on Dec 3, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Dear all, my daughter 2 year-old has gone to Learn and Grow since January of '08. She loves her teachers and I truly trust the ladies who were working on her room. My daughter was always happy to go play with the teachers who were down on the floor or sitting at the table INVOLVED with the kids. When I went for a few hours for their Thanksgiving Dinner, the gals in her room acted very professionally and with care towards all of the children in their care. My heart goes out to the workers there who did nothing wrong. Just because a few bad apples got thrown into the bushel basket doesn't mean the whole basket is spoiled fruit. I am truly horrified at these reports and sickened to think of the children who endured these things. I am praying for the workers, the families, and the community of Abilene. I trust the KDHE will resolve this and those who have committed crimes will find that Lady Justice is also a protective mother!

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 3, 2008 at 08:32 AM
Im very disturbed to hear what these people have been doing to these children!This place was suppose to be one of the best in our area!Where these individuals qualified to care for these children?Action needs to be taken to make sure these people get punnished for what they have done!!My thoughts and prayers go out to these children and their families!The whole communtiy is affected by this!

Posted by: Concerned Parent Location: Abilene on Dec 2, 2008 at 11:40 PM
My child attended this daycare a few months back. We had concerns and voiced them to the Director. We felt that nothing was being done to protect our daughter, so we pulled her from the care of this facility. I feel that it is the Director's job to maintain a safe environment. I believe it is her job to montitor and protect children at the first complaint, not months later. Maybe he should be rethinking her position.

Posted by: Peg Location: Wichita on Dec 2, 2008 at 09:24 PM
This is the very reason why our daughter won't leave our granddaughter at a day care until she's old enough to go to school. Too many of these horror stories are cropping up these days. So sad.

Posted by: Guy Location: Wichita on Dec 2, 2008 at 08:05 PM
Seriously, does anyone proof these stories?

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 2, 2008 at 07:54 PM
Many prayers go out for those children that were involved. I have every bit of faith that the KDHE will see this thru and the right steps will be taken against these individuals. And I mean individuals. Not all "day care providers" are like this. You can't lump them all together and say they are all bad. If you have a complaint then call your local health dept. Listen to your children and be involved in their lives outside of your home. That includes their day care or center or preschool.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 2, 2008 at 04:53 PM
Try finding out your child was sat on and reporting that to kdhe and having nothing done. Or having injuries that happen to your child told to you in differant stories by differant staff. I hope they are working thier way to centers in my part of the state and taking some action.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 2, 2008 at 04:12 PM
OMG..Thanks to the web cam.One question do the parents of these children pay attention their childrens behavior when dropping them off at that horrible day care? Myself as a parent had a situation where my child refused to go to the day care provider after only 2 days and would run out of there when I would arrive.. I took that type of behavior as very suspicious and never took my child back. We moved on to another day care and my child never displayed that behavior.Come on Parents pay attention to your children they are defenseless,protect them they depend on you.

Posted by: a on Dec 2, 2008 at 03:56 PM
This is why i dont use a day care for my son!!! You just cant trust anyone anymore!!! How could anyone do this to a child i mean think about the demage these idoits caused! Im so sorry for these children.

Posted by: k on Dec 2, 2008 at 03:29 PM
I dont see how someone can do this to children! It is truly a sad situation and I hope the children are in a better and safer enviornment! Prayers go out to the children who were in this situation!

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