Cease-and-desist order weighed for church facility
State officials could issue a cease-and-desist order to a private school where a 10-week-old child was found unresponsive — and later died — as multiple agencies are investigating the Mendon facility.
The Bethany Christian Academy, a K-12 school in Mendon associated with Bethany Community Church, is being investigated by the Department of Early Education and Care and the Department of Children and families after the unresponsive child was discovered by his mother Tuesday.
The Worcester District Attorney’s office is investigating the death, but there are no signs of foul play, officials said.
The academy was granted a license exemption in 1996 to care for preschool children between 3 and 6 years old, but was not licensed to care for infants, state officials said. EEC officials said they are continuing to investigate the school and could issue the school a cease-and-desist order or potentially revoke that exemption.
The facility, recognized as the Bethany Preschool in state records in the early to mid-1990s, had no complaints filed against it prior to Tuesday’s tragedy, according to state officials. But as a private school it did not fall under the EEC’s direct jurisdiction, making it difficult, if not impossible, to determine whether there have been past problems.
Multiple employees at the school declined comment yesterday. Mendon selectman Christopher Burke said the church was well-respected in the community and the town would reach out to the family.
“The church is a great establishment, a great part of our community and I’m sure this is impacting them tremendously,” Burke said. “I know Mendon is a very tight community and we will certainly rally around any family that is going through a tough situation or is in need.”