Delaware suspends Dover daycare’s license

Delaware’s Office of Child Care Licensing yanked Hands of Our Future’s daycare license Monday, after three of its employees were arrested for egging on 3-year-olds, in their care, to fight each other.

Joe Smack, with Division of Family Services, says he was told the owner of the Dover daycare will request a hearing, however, a formal request has yet to be filed. Smack says the owner has 10 business days.

Dover Police arrested Tiana Harris, Estefania Myers and Lisa Parker, Monday, after watching cell phone video shot earlier this year. Capt. Tim Stump says one of the suspects shot the video, which depicts two toddlers “wailing on each other,” while the two other women looked on.

Dover Police held an informational meeting for parents inside department headquarters Monday night, not only to answer questions regarding this incident, but also to help parents address their own daycare issues. Capt. Tim Stump says detectives and representatives from victims’ services and the Attorney General’s office were present.

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“I commend the parents on how well they maintained their composure. It’s a very tough topic,” said Capt. Stump via email.

Stump also wrote the parents of the toddlers involved told detectives they were unaware the incident had even occurred.

All three defendants were released after posting $10,000 secured bond. Each faces charges of assault, endangering the welfare of a child, reckless endangering and conspiracy.

Hands of Our Future opened in January of 2011 and Division of Family Services says it only has one complaint on record. According to Smack, the daycare was supposed to give a child medication and failed to do so. 

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