The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
In wake of 4-year-old’s death, two day care centers to have licenses revoked
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services is intending to revoke the licenses of two Euclid day cares in the wake of the death of 4-year-old Aniya Day Garrett.
Garrett died March 11 from a stroke that authorities say was caused by a blunt-force head injury. The girl’s mother, 23-yearold Sierra Day, and her boyfriend, 26-year-old Deonte Lewis, have been charged with her murder.
In the aftermath of Garrett’s death, two day cares were cited by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Get Ready, Set, Grow Preschool, 24251 Lake Shore Blvd., and Harbor Crest Childcare Academy, 26191 Brush Ave., were cited for failing to notify authorities of suspicion of child abuse and neglect.
After further investigation, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services sent certified letters in late April to the two day cares stating that the department intends to revoke the licenses.
The department found that Get Ready, Set, Grow failed to comply with 14 provisions in the Ohio Administrative Code.
Those violations included the lack of a background check on a child care staff member who had sole responsibility of the Pre-K group. That employee did not have a Bureau of Criminal Investigations or FBI criminal record check on her file.
The center’s administrator also failed to complete the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services prescribed one-hour child abuse overview. There were multiple occasions when children were left unattended, according to the department’s letter. The department also states a day care center staff member made a child sleep in a closet on more than one occasion.
The letter to Harbor Crest cited the center for failing to comply with 11 provisions in the Ohio Administrative Code. The department determined the center provided false information when staff members presented inaccurate employment records. A staff member at Harbor Crest also did not complete the required one-hour child abuse overview.
On March 23, a serious incident was not reported to the Ohio Child Licensing and Quality System after an incident, illness or injury required the child to be removed by the parent or emergency services for medical treatment. The department also reported that children were left unsupervised.
In the aftermath of Garrett’s death, two day cares were cited by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Get Ready, Set, Grow Preschool, 24251 Lake Shore Blvd., and Harbor Crest Childcare Academy, 26191 Brush Ave., were cited for failing to notify authorities of suspicion of child abuse and neglect.
Both day care centers are entitled to hearings on their licenses revocations. They must request a hearing within 30 days of date of the mailing.
Day and Lewis were indicted on aggravated murder charges in April. They have pleaded not guilty.
Garrett’s father previously said he suspected she was being abused and tried to get custody before her death. He has called for an investigation into the county’s child welfare agency. An agency spokeswoman said investigators never found enough evidence to remove the girl from her home.