News
Day care loses license because of sex tape find
Published: Apr 06, 2004 - 11:31 PM
A south Clarksville day care's license was revoked permanently after its operator admitted to making a sex video near the child-care area and failed to check employees' criminal background, according to a Department of Human Services report. The report indicated Angels R Us operator Susan Deering used poor judgment in making a pornographic video in a room adjacent to the in-home day care.
Though DHS officials did not allege such in the report, they contend exposure to sexual activity is "extremely harmful" to children. And DHS further claimed children at the day care had access to the den where Deering and another female employee were videotaped having sex in January. Deering has denied any children were at the facility and maintained the adjoining door was locked.
DHS revoked the license on Friday, said spokeswoman Michelle Johnson. The facility's license had been temporarily suspended after investigators made a March 4 unannounced visit to the 665 Chesterfield Circle home. Clarksville police were tipped to possible drug activity while children were present at the day care, DHS records show. Investigators did not find evidence of drugs in the house, but they did find the video and other adult materials in Deering's bedroom.
Deering told investigators she and her husband, Steven Deering, and another couple that included the female employee had "swapped" partners on Jan. 23, according to the report. Mrs. Deering told investigators the video was filmed at 2:30 a.m., but investigators say it was filmed at midnight while a child was at the day care, which provided around-the-clock child care. Day-care records show the last child left at 1:30 a.m.
"Sexual behavior is not something kids need to be seeing; it's harmful, and it messes them up," Anne Turner, DHS director of licensing, said Monday.
Proof of sexual abuse isn't necessary to determine that facility administrators acted inappropriately, Turner said. She added that Mrs. Deering acknowledged she had been drinking when the video was made. DHS determined the child it claims was present during the sexual escapade would not have been adequately supervised.
"We can't trust you to be out caring for other people's kids," Turner said, summing up DHS's decision.
Mrs. Deering told investigators she had fired the female employee, Amanda Rye, on March 3, "when she discovered what kind of person she was," the report stated. Rye had been allowed to provide child care for one month prior to the dismissal.
Another caregiver's background was not checked until after the March suspension hearing. Paula Steward was also released because of her criminal background, according to the report.
DHS also received several complaints during March that the day care continued to operate while its license was suspended. None of those claims were substantiated, but DHS is continuing its investigation, Johnson said.
"There is nothing to indicate an illegal operation might be going on," she said.
If DHS finds evidence of illegal operation, a court can issue an injunction. If found in contempt of such an injunction, offenders can face jail time.
Department of Children's Services continues to investigate the day care to determine if any of the children were abused or neglected, said spokeswoman Carla Aaron.
DCS has 60 days from the initial report to interview parents, workers and children, and present any finding of criminal activity to the District Attorney's Office.
Angels R Us has until Monday to appeal DHS's decision to the Child Care Agency Board of Review. The day care can apply for reinstatement one year after revocation.
DHS revoked the license on Friday, said spokeswoman Michelle Johnson. The facility's license had been temporarily suspended after investigators made a March 4 unannounced visit to the 665 Chesterfield Circle home. Clarksville police were tipped to possible drug activity while children were present at the day care, DHS records show. Investigators did not find evidence of drugs in the house, but they did find the video and other adult materials in Deering's bedroom.
Deering told investigators she and her husband, Steven Deering, and another couple that included the female employee had "swapped" partners on Jan. 23, according to the report. Mrs. Deering told investigators the video was filmed at 2:30 a.m., but investigators say it was filmed at midnight while a child was at the day care, which provided around-the-clock child care. Day-care records show the last child left at 1:30 a.m.
"Sexual behavior is not something kids need to be seeing; it's harmful, and it messes them up," Anne Turner, DHS director of licensing, said Monday.
Proof of sexual abuse isn't necessary to determine that facility administrators acted inappropriately, Turner said. She added that Mrs. Deering acknowledged she had been drinking when the video was made. DHS determined the child it claims was present during the sexual escapade would not have been adequately supervised.
"We can't trust you to be out caring for other people's kids," Turner said, summing up DHS's decision.
Mrs. Deering told investigators she had fired the female employee, Amanda Rye, on March 3, "when she discovered what kind of person she was," the report stated. Rye had been allowed to provide child care for one month prior to the dismissal.
Another caregiver's background was not checked until after the March suspension hearing. Paula Steward was also released because of her criminal background, according to the report.
DHS also received several complaints during March that the day care continued to operate while its license was suspended. None of those claims were substantiated, but DHS is continuing its investigation, Johnson said.
"There is nothing to indicate an illegal operation might be going on," she said.
If DHS finds evidence of illegal operation, a court can issue an injunction. If found in contempt of such an injunction, offenders can face jail time.
Department of Children's Services continues to investigate the day care to determine if any of the children were abused or neglected, said spokeswoman Carla Aaron.
DCS has 60 days from the initial report to interview parents, workers and children, and present any finding of criminal activity to the District Attorney's Office.
Angels R Us has until Monday to appeal DHS's decision to the Child Care Agency Board of Review. The day care can apply for reinstatement one year after revocation.
