Police in Colorado Springs, Colorado, say they found 26 children under the age of 3 in a basement behind a false wall at a home daycare this week, and the state has suspended the daycare’s license.
The Colorado Department of Human Services received a complaint on Wednesday that Play Mountain Place was overcrowded and asked police to help with a welfare check. State data cited by CNN from May 2019 listed the daycare’s licensed capacity at six children.
According to the Colorado Springs Police Department, officers did not see any children when they first arrived. Police said the owner, Carla, who lives on the property, refused to cooperate. Officers could hear children inside the home, and while looking around they found a false wall that led to the basement. Behind it were 26 children and two adults. Officers worked with the state to return the children to their parents.
Three daycare workers were first arrested on misdemeanor child abuse charges related to neglect, but detectives canceled those charges pending further investigation. Carla was not arrested at the scene, and police said detectives are pursuing appropriate charges. No public statement from her was included in the early reports.
The state’s childcare licensing office said it suspended the home’s license right away and that its investigation is ongoing. No one has been convicted of anything, and the facts may change as investigators learn more.
Made to order and shipped to your door.
