A Norco unlicensed day care was shut down July 8 as part of a joint effort by the Louisiana Department of Education and St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, according to a news release by the Department of Education.
Sheriff’s deputies located Kristy Jones’ residence on Barrecca Street, where they report they found “Jones and 10 children huddled in the laundry room” after repeated attempts to enter the building.
Jones’ husband allowed them inside. Deputies also reported they found a total of 12 children at the location, including Jones’ two children.
Jones was located as part of the Education Department’s “Registry of Individuals Prohibited from Operating Unlicensed Early Learning Centers,” which it passed on to Louisiana police officials that named these individuals and the court orders injunctions filed against them.
In February 2012, the Department of Children and Family Services found Jones operating without a license, caring for nine unrelated children. Prior to an April 2012 hearing, Jones agreed to and signed a court order halting her operation of her unlicensed child care facility.
Jones is one of nearly 50 individuals listed on the Department’s registry. The Department launched the registry last month with the intention of shining a spotlight on individuals who are forbidden by courts from operating an unlicensed child care center in Louisiana.
Because licensing regulation violations are not a criminal offense, law enforcement authorities cannot take action against the operator of the illegal child care.
The Education Department will make follow up visits to Jones’ home and officials said they intend to file a motion for contempt against Jones with the cooperation of Sheriff’s deputies. Licensing staff will continue to visit Jones’ home periodically to ensure she doesn’t resume care for more than six unrelated children
“The underground child care program run by Kristy Jones is another example of an illegal business operating in the shadows,” said State Superintendent John White. “As a state, we must address this. We need criminal penalties in Louisiana for this kind of deceit and endangerment. Someone must pay the price for running illegal, underground child cares. The Department thanks Sheriff Greg Champagne and his office for their dedication to protecting the children of Louisiana.”
To report an unlicensed day care, call the Education Department at (225) 342-9905 or 1 (877) 453-2721.
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