Neighbors shocked by news of daycare provider's accused negligence

Posted at: 09/18/2012 11:16 PM | Updated at: 09/18/2012 11:53 PM
By: Lynette Adams | WHEC.com

Dansville Police are now investigating. They say daycare provider Shelly Sick could face charges of endangering the welfare of a child.

Her license was suspended on Friday, after state inspectors say they found children in her daycare alone.

Some neighbors are shocked by accusations against Shelly Sick. They say by all appearances, she is a caring daycare provider. There has been nothing out of the ordinary for the years she's been in the business.

Paula Donovan can't believe it. She says, "She's been babysitting a lot of years so I'm really shocked."

She continues, "I know I've gone to a couple of her yard sales. She has a lot of kids toys and she seems when the parents come to pick the kids up she always seems really happy. She stays out there and talks with the parents."

She lives across from 72 Franklin Street in Dansville. It's where Shelly Sick runs an in-home daycare.

Last Friday, two workers from the state department of child and family services paid a surprise visit to the house. But the surprise may have been on them.

Pat Cantiello, a spokesperson says, "Childcare licensers went to the home on Friday and children were there without supervision."

The state says Sick violated daycare licensing rules by leaving children she cares for alone with no adult present.

No word on how long she was gone, but the state suspended her license and is in the process of revoking it.

News10NBC tried to speak with Sick, but when we knocked on the door no one answered.

The state ordered Sick to close down on Friday until further notice.

Cantiello says, "This was a registered family childcare provider and the regulations say you have to have adult supervision at all times."

Brian Sweet lives a few doors down. He says he's not shocked, but sickened by the accusations.

Sweet says, "God knows what can happen in those few minutes. You can blink and  the kids can be severely hurt. It's wrong. It's disgusting."

Carol Reis who lives next door says no one should rush to judgment.

She says, "There's always rumors when something goes on when we don't know all the facts. I prefer to hold my judgment until we know all the facts."

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