State suspends license of Wichita day care home

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued an emergency suspension of a licensed day care home in Wichita.

Earlier this week KDHE officials found multiple violations at Lighthouse Learning Day Care, 5112 Crestview, which is operated by Brittiney Hardwell, officials said.

Hardwell could not be reached for comment.

According to the suspension order, officials conducting a compliance survey on Tuesday were at first denied access to the home and told there were no day care children on site.

After calling law enforcement and gaining access to the home, surveyors found 12 children in care, including 10 children in the basement, the order said. Five children were under 18 months of age.

The number of children exceeded the number permitted by the home’s temporary permit, the suspension order said.

The names, addresses and dates of birth of four adults present in the home had not been submitted to KDHE as required, the order said. Five adults did not have a record of a negative tuberculin test or X-ray.

Inspectors said an outdoor play area contained hazards including a lawn mower and discarded tires, and that the applicant “was not tending to the needs of the children in care and was not aware at all times of the location and activity of the children,” the order said.

Kansas law allows the KDHE secretary to suspend a day care license when the order is necessary to protect children in the home from any potential threat to health or safety.

The day care operator can appeal the emergency suspension.

This story was originally published April 3, 2015 at 3:14 PM with the headline "State suspends license of Wichita day care home."