A 24-hour child care service in Omaha must close, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services said Monday.
An emergency order revoked the license of Felicia Frezell to operate University Learning Academy after inspectors allegedly found too many children being cared for at an unlicensed location and other violations, according to affidavits signed by two state child care inspection specialists.
Frezell was licensed to care for eight children at 7553 Richmond Drive, but the inspectors allege she usually cared for more than a dozen children at 6339 N. 31st Ave. Frezell must cease operations at both locations.
Among other things inspectors say they observed:
Ÿ Unlocked medicine and cleaning products, diaper ointment and petroleum jelly within reach of children.
Ÿ Two infants were asleep on one cot, which is against state regulations.
Ÿ Four children leaving with an unidentified caregiver.
Frezell admitted driving the children around with a suspended license, according to the affidavits.
The order to close was issued to “protect the immediate physical well-being and safety of a child in a child care program,” department spokeswoman Marla Augustine said in a statement.
Frezell was ordered to cease providing care to any children other than her own.
She was upset and tearful on Monday and said she had hired an attorney.
Frezell said the charges were “trumped up,” that children who were leaving for the day were counted, medicines were double-locked and placed in a safe location, and ointments were always kept out of reach of children.
The child care location was a mix-up, she said. She had filed paperwork to move to the Richmond Drive location, but changed her mind.
“I wasn't perfect . . . but I didn't intentionally break any rules,” she said.
Contact the writer:
402-444-3131, sam.womack@owh.com
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