A day care provider in Buffalo, New York, surrendered its state license following an allegation that it twice used corporal punishment on a 2-year-old child, the Buffalo News reported. It marked the second closure of a Buffalo day care in a week due to reported injuries to a child.
The allegation led Buffalo police to investigate Young's TLC Daycare 2, located on the city's east side. The business closed Monday, six days after the alleged second incident, according to reports from the Buffalo police report and the state Office of Children and Family Services.
A 35-year-old mother told Buffalo police that someone at the day care held her child down and poured water on the child's face on July 20 and July 24, according to reports.
During a July 24 state inspection of the facility, two violations were found, including one for corporal punishment, according to the News. The facility also had too many children for the number of staff, the report stated. Also, unspecified hazards were found.
"These shocking and appalling allegations resulted in an immediate investigation and enforcement action by OCFS. The provider has since been compelled to surrender the program’s license," OCFS spokeswoman Monica Mahaffey told the News.
State agency records showed that Young's TLC Daycare 2 was run by Vincent D. Dunston. He declined to comment when reached by phone, according to the report.
The day care was licensed in February for a capacity of 12 children between ages 6 and 12, along with four additional school-age children, the News reported. Also, the facility was required to have one caregiver for every two children under 2.
On July 23, a 2-year-old girl suffered a critical head injury at Mozee's Ultimate Family Daycare , according to reports obtained by the News. The state has suspended Mozee's operating license.
Details were not available on how the girl sustained the injury. Buffalo Police Capt. Jeff Rinaldo indicated that police are continuing to investigate.
