View Full Version : 15 children found in unlicensed Houston day care


harrisonsdream
08-07-2007, 09:16 AM
15 children found in unlicensed Houston day care
Woman caring for youngsters in a 1-bedroom unit in SW Houston


By JENNIFER LEAHY
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

Emergency workers discovered 15 children under the care of one person in an unlicensed and unregulated home day care in southwest Houston, authorities said.

An ambulance crew responding to a call of a child choking in the 6000 block of Bissonnet discovered the children in a one-bedroom apartment around noon Monday while searching for the call's origin.

"Three of the children belong to the woman," said Child Protective Services spokeswoman Gwen Carter, who said that parents of the 12 other children were contacted and their children were returned to them.

The ages of the children and the caretaker are unknown at this time.

Carter said that the woman is not likely to face criminal charges, "but we will be making sure she knows that she can't do this."

"Parents need to be really careful and also to make sure that they have all of their current contact information on file with their child-care providers and schools," Carter said.

CPS will work with the parents to place the 12 children in a licensed environment.

"We will try to help them find a registered home or center — the parents have to go to work," Carter said, noting that financial assistance for child care is available to those who qualify.

Cherrish
08-07-2007, 01:30 PM
Stories like this upset me....I mean, I'm sorry 911 had to be called and I'm glad the child is OK, but....

....obviously the parents of these other 12 kids might be having trouble finding affordable child care. I mean, what if they don't qualify for assistance but still don't make enough for a regular daycare? That happens so often...

harrisonsdream
08-07-2007, 02:11 PM
Stories like this upset me....I mean, I'm sorry 911 had to be called and I'm glad the child is OK, but....

....obviously the parents of these other 12 kids might be having trouble finding affordable child care. I mean, what if they don't qualify for assistance but still don't make enough for a regular daycare? That happens so often...

it's a huge issue to have kids being watched in an unlicensed facility by an unlicensed provider. there are no health inspectors to make sure things are okay and southwest houston is notorious for having things like this happen. i'ts one thing to hire an unlicensed baby sitter but if you are dropping your child off day in and day out that's dangerous. i understand the thing about wanting to provide childcare for these poorer families but why would you want to jepordize your children.

KevzQueen
08-07-2007, 07:25 PM
That's one huge fine right there. In this area, it's $200/day per child. I'm glad those kids will find a better place.