Local YMCA childcare center fined for incident involving toddler

In a letter dated Feb. 9, 2017, the Minnesota Department of Human Services informed the Cook County YMCA, its daycare operation known as Busy Bees and YMCA Director Emily Marshall that the daycare operation was being fined for maltreatment of a child.

The Busy Bee Child Care center was also notified in the letter that its operating license was being placed on a conditional use status for one year.

According to the letter sent from DHS to the local YMCA, both the fine and license restriction came based upon a recommendation by Cook County Public Health & Human Services Department regarding an incident that took place in 2016.

In a letter dated Dec. 12, 2016, Cook County Public Health & Human Services Department notified Duluth Area Family YMCA, Busy Bees Child Care that the facility was found responsible for maltreatment, or neglect, of a child. According to the Dec. 12 letter, Cook County staff investigated a report and determined that maltreatment occurred for which Busy Bees Child Care was responsible when a toddler-age child left a playground area without the knowledge of facility staff persons and was found by a community member. Additionally, Cook County determined that there was a failure to provide required supervision to the toddler.

WTIP contacted the local YMCA for a response to these letters and the situation as a whole. In a letter dated May 3 that was sent to WTIP, the response reads: "The safety and security of our members, guests and staff is a top priority of the YMCA."

On Nov. 9, 2016, an incident occurred which resulted in actions taken by the Minnesota Department of Human Services.  Immediately following that incident, the YMCA reported the situation to the licensing authority.  The YMCA also immediately notified all families of the daycare of the incident and steps were taken to review policy and ensure procedures exist to provide the safest environment possible.