SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A local daycare center is now closed after investigators say the owner failed to report child abuse that occurred there. The Department of Human Services (DHS) issued an emergency removal order for Learn and Grow Early Childhood Center on Friday.
A notice to parents from DHS says the daycare's owners failed to comply with the department's regulations for operation of a child care facility.
Owner Amy Ware is being charged individually with failure to report child abuse.
More charges are expected in the coming days.
Guilty pleas entered in Gilmartin shooting case
The department's findings came from a nearly month-long investigation in September and October.
Representatives say they observed violations of Title 55 of the Pennsylvania Code. This includes gross incompetence, negligence, misconduct in operating the facility or agency, or mistreatment or abuse of clients, likely to constitute an immediate and serious danger to the life or health of the clients.
Representatives say daycare staff told them they witnessed other staff members slapping a child, hitting a child with a bottle, and pulling their hair.
Daycare staff also exceeded the capacity of children on several instances in different classrooms.
Parents who are impacted can contact the Early Learning Resource Center of Lackawanna.
