A Department of Human Services official said Wednesday that an investigation into an alleged child abuse incident at Kiddie Kollege Daycare had been completed and the facility had instituted a detailed corrective plan.
The DHS report comes on the heels of the Bryan County district attorney’s probe of the incident. Emily Redman, District Attorney for the 19th District, announced last week that the former child care worker involved in the case would not face criminal charges.
The Ardmore Police Department began investigating allegations that a child care worker had verbally and physically abused a 2-year-old child at the day care facility in April. The center is associated with CrystalRock Cathedral. Much of the criminal investigation centered on a cell phone video that allegedly showed the child being mistreated.
DHS instituted its own investigation after the incident. A report completed on June 6 confirmed that “there is credible evidence that child abuse or neglect did occur and that the child’s health or safety (was) threatened.” The matter was then referred to DHS’s child care licensing staff. In response, Kiddie Kollege developed its own plan of correction which outlined on how staff will address behavior problems in the future. The day care directors also agreed to have employees attend additional training and stipulate how the staff will report future behavior issues.
“The daycare director took appropriate action in removing (the worker) from the situation,” Redman said. “We believe this is an appropriate remedy in this case.”
“The facility took immediate appropriate action (by terminating the employee) and has since implemented a well-thought-out, detailed correction plan,” said Mary McGee, regional program manager for child care services at DHS.
McGee said the Kiddie Kollege staff provided “total cooperation” during the DHS probe.
“I was extremely impressed by their cooperation during the entire process and am very satisfied with the steps they have taken,” she said.
McGee added that her department had never received a serious complaint about the facility before the April incident.
“This proves that they cooperated with the authorities and haven’t done anything wrong,” CrystalRock’s attorney Kenyatta Bethea said. “They are disappointed about the negative publicity this matter received.
“I know Pastor Walt Spradling and Kiddie Kollege co-directors Kim Keith and Lisa Anthony will continue to work in the community to try to provide support for the children who are under their care and lead individuals to God.”
