NewsLocal News

Actions

Health department: Billings daycare had history of problems before baby was locked inside

Posted at 4:28 AM, Nov 06, 2018
and last updated 2019-07-17 14:51:12-04

BILLINGS – Since 2007, eight complaints have been filed with the Montana health department against a Billings daycare center where a 6-month-old baby was recently locked inside.

The latest complaint to hit Kids ‘R’ Us at 606 Nottingham Circle was from a mother who arrived at the facility Friday evening to pick up her child, only to find it closed with her child inside. The incident lit up on social media.

In 2015, Kids ‘R’ Us received multiple complaints in one report, according to the Montana Department of Health and Human Services.

In that case, it was determined there weren’t enough caregivers for the number of children being cared for, and  sometimes children were left unattended.

The report also stated that caregivers used humiliation, shaming, and fright when disciplining a 6-year-old child.

Some caregivers said they didn’t have adequate training or knowledge to work with a special needs child, even though they’re accepted at the facility.

Medication was also not properly stored, and some employees did not know how to administer it.

That same complaint also said infants were left in dangerous sleeping situations or were not given enough opportunities to sleep during their time at the center.

Plus, there wasn’t a baby monitor in the facility’s nap room, and babies were left unattended in that area.

The Kids R’ Us daycare’s license was renewed in March, according to the health department.

Billings police told Q2 that this latest case has been forwarded to Child Protective Services.

Q2 has reached out to Kids ‘R’ Us and will update with any comments.