Michigan Daycare Serves Kids Raw Chicken, Spoiled Milk, Yellow Water—and Has No Heat!
A Detroit daycare has been shut down after state inspections revealed raw food, freezing classrooms, and dangerous sanitation issues. 🌐 #News #DetroitMI #Michigan #Crime
DETROIT, MI – Authorities have shut down a Detroit, Michigan daycare after uncovering shocking conditions, including raw chicken served to children, no heat in classrooms, and yellow, undrinkable water. The facility, which cared for children as young as two weeks old, faced a swift license suspension following a state investigation that revealed a litany of dangerous violations.
State Takes Action After Disturbing Complaints
On Wednesday, the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential (MiLEAP) suspended the child care license of the Martin Luther King Jr. Daycare, operated by Antioch Church of God in Christ. The facility, located at the same address as the Martin Luther King Jr. Education Center Academy, serves children up to four years old.
The investigation began on Jan. 16 when MiLEAP received a complaint that the daycare had no heat and children were coming home shivering. Soon after, more complaints rolled in, reporting spoiled food, a “noxious smell” from the basement kitchen, and no cleaning supplies in the building. One alarming report revealed that children were being served raw chicken, expired yogurt, and milk.
Onsite Inspections Uncover Even More Horrors
State Licensing Consultant Sharonda Trammer conducted inspections on Jan. 23 and 24, uncovering a chilling list of violations.
The infant and toddler room was located dangerously far from a safe exit and had cribs with loose sheets and torn mattresses.
Though one room registered at 80 degrees, cold drafts made the air frigid. Another room was only 69 degrees and similarly affected by drafts. Staff members admitted that, despite the heat being “turned all the way up,” children’s skin often felt cold to the touch.
The facility’s heating system was also found to be non-compliant. Boilers lacked inspection certificates, and combustible materials—including bleach and paint—were stored within four feet of the boiler.
Water, Food, and Sanitation Hazards Endanger Children
The water situation was equally dire. A dispenser produced yellow-colored water, with a staff member admitting the filters hadn’t been changed all school year. They confessed they did not feel comfortable giving it to children.
The kitchen inspection revealed even more dangers. The refrigerator held expired milk and yogurt, decaying fruit, and a “liquefied substance” sealed in a zip-lock bag.
Staff confirmed that raw and undercooked food had been served to children and admitted that vegetables were not included in their meals. Classrooms near the kitchen reeked of a faint but unmistakable sewage odor.
Adding to the chaos, staff members reported having to buy their own cleaning supplies. Many said they were “no longer willing” to continue doing so, leaving the facility without proper cleaning products.
Immediate Suspension and Notification
The state acted swiftly, enforcing the suspension of the daycare’s license at 6 p.m. on Wednesday. The daycare was instructed to notify parents and guardians that it could no longer provide child care services.
This closure leaves many families searching for alternative care, but for now, officials say it’s a necessary step to protect the children’s health and safety.
RELATED TOPICS: Crime | Kids and Family | Michigan
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