Tuesday, June 18, 2013

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Daycare provider under investigation
Posted: 07.13.2012 at 6:22 PM
Mark Slavit

Mark Slavit is the Columbia Bureau chief and the Mid-Missouri Traveler.

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Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services officials said Dorothy Carel of Jefferson City is providing illegal unlicensed child care.

Several Jefferson City families are also accusing Carel of causing the brain injuries of 2 infants.

Denise Moore said Carel told her that her four-month-old grandson Hunter accidently fell head first on a concrete floor after the boy was left alone in a car seat.  Hunter suffered brain damage.  Moore doesn’t believe her grandson accidently fell.  She believes his brain damage is the result of child abuse at Carel’s home daycare.

Moore said, “There is no bruising.  There are no red marks to show if he landed on his face on that floor.  Why is there nothing on him?”

State and local officials are currently investigating Carel and have been watching her since 2007.  Carel is also under suspicion of having too many children in her daycare.

Moore said, “We want to make sure that she is shut down.  We want to ensure that no other child is ever neglected or hurt in any way by her.”

Cole County Prosecutor Mark Richardson hasn’t filed any charges and would not comment on the case.  Carel continues to operate her daycare center out of her home.  Carel declined to comment.

Jefferson City police investigators are checking on accusations of child abuse.

Jefferson City Police Captain Doug Shoemaker said, “We are waiting on additional evidence in terms of doctor’s reports to give us a clear picture to what could or might have happened.”

Denise Moore wants authorities to act quickly against Carel.

Moore said, “I cannot believe anyone would put a child in that kind of danger.”

Former customers have set up a Facebook page supporting the prosecution of Dorothy Carel.

Carel is due in court on Monday. She is the defendant in a personal injury civil case.

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