By Scott Sarvay
FORT WAYNE, Ind (Indiana's NewsCenter)-Allegations of child neglect have lead to the closure of a local day care center.
43-year old Lynee Johnson, who operates the "Mother's Touch" day care out of her Fort Wayne home is charged with two felony counts of neglect of a dependent. State officials say she employed her sister, Jennifer Pehlke. Pehlke is mentally disabled, and in 2005 was ordered by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration not to be alone with children, after she was accused of dropping and injuring a child.
According to court documents, on March 16th of this year, when the parents of a young girl picked up their daughter from "Mothers Touch" daycare, the girl complained of pain when placed in her car seat. When the parents later changed her diaper, they claim they found a red colored substance. Officials say an examination at a "Sexual Assault and Treatment Center" found tearing and bruising in the vaginal area. In court documents, the examining doctor states the injuries "could not have been caused by a fall... or wiping of a child" and were likely caused by "poking or digging."
The question is raised, why did officials reach an agreement with the daycare in 2005 ordering Pehlke to not be alone with children instead of shutting it down?
Marcus Barlow with the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration says "For the better part of four years they were in compliance with the agreement but recently we found out they weren't in compliance. If there were any sign of any sort of malicious action then we wouldn't go through the settlement process. We would just immediately revoke someone's license."
Johnson was arrested and is out on bond, she'll appear in court Monday for her initial hearing.
http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/news/local/47927407.html