The state has shut down a child care provider who was operating without a license. Child care licensing investigators are now trying to determine if a home in the 700 block of Freeman Drive on the west side was illegally running a home-based child care facility.
Investigators asked the people at the home to stop caring for children Wednesday. However, they went back to the home Thursday because children were back at the home. Investigators also notified parents about the situation and asked them to not leave their children there, and a concerned parent contacted News 4 WOAI.
Mary Walker, spokesperson for the Department of Family and Protective Services, says it's dangerous for parents to leave their children in a home care facility that's not licensed because the caretakers may or not be educated or trained how to handle children, especially during a medical emergency. In 2009, 12 children died in illegal child care facilities. The state learned about this location because a parent tried to research this facility online and discovered it was not licensed.
Walker says they were not aware of any children that were hurt or got sick at this home. They are trying to determine how many adults and kids were present at the location and they are also trying to figure out how long this had been going on.
The people at the home can apply for a license, even with the ongoing investigation. However, if they continue operating, the state can seek an injunction from the Attorney General's office.
Walker urges all parents to do their research before dropping off their children. You can look up any facility online, by clicking
here, or by going to txchildcaresearch.org.
