sws4420
02-08-2005, 11:06 AM
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(02/07/05 - LAKE JACKSON, TX) — A Lake Jackson woman is accused of hiding nearly two dozen children in a closet while being investigated for running an unlicensed daycare.
Wamboi Bryan admits she was wrong to run an unlicensed day care out of her home. But now that it's closed, many parents we spoke with say they're stuck between the law and a lack of affordable child care.
For several months Bryan provided care for many children. But in January, a two-year-old wandered out a back gate. A neighbor found the boy in the front yard, brought him back and called CPS.
An investigator ordered Bryan to close her doors, but she didn't. During a follow-up inspection last week, investigators saw five children being picked up by their parents. But inside the home, they made a more surprising discovery.
"My inspector asked her if she was hiding children and the provider admitted to having them hidden," said Virginia Hancock with a day care licensing agency. "There were 23 children in a closet."
"They were all standing in basically this area, as far as the closet and the bathroom area," Bryan showed Eyewitness News cameras. "And I had a staff back here with them. At the moment, I panicked to the point of, 'Oh my God! I have all these kids here right now!' "
Even though there are toys and supplies stacked to the ceiling, this place is shut down. And that's leaving many parents wondering where they will turn now.
"I don't know who's gonna take my kids to school that morning," admitted Scott. "I don't know who's gonna keep my kids while I go to work. Actually, thinking I might have to quit, which I really could not afford to do."
The state's investigation is not complete, but we're told Bryan will not face any kind of criminal charges. As for Bryan, she hopes to reopen when she does have a license.
(02/07/05 - LAKE JACKSON, TX) — A Lake Jackson woman is accused of hiding nearly two dozen children in a closet while being investigated for running an unlicensed daycare.
Wamboi Bryan admits she was wrong to run an unlicensed day care out of her home. But now that it's closed, many parents we spoke with say they're stuck between the law and a lack of affordable child care.
For several months Bryan provided care for many children. But in January, a two-year-old wandered out a back gate. A neighbor found the boy in the front yard, brought him back and called CPS.
An investigator ordered Bryan to close her doors, but she didn't. During a follow-up inspection last week, investigators saw five children being picked up by their parents. But inside the home, they made a more surprising discovery.
"My inspector asked her if she was hiding children and the provider admitted to having them hidden," said Virginia Hancock with a day care licensing agency. "There were 23 children in a closet."
"They were all standing in basically this area, as far as the closet and the bathroom area," Bryan showed Eyewitness News cameras. "And I had a staff back here with them. At the moment, I panicked to the point of, 'Oh my God! I have all these kids here right now!' "
Even though there are toys and supplies stacked to the ceiling, this place is shut down. And that's leaving many parents wondering where they will turn now.
"I don't know who's gonna take my kids to school that morning," admitted Scott. "I don't know who's gonna keep my kids while I go to work. Actually, thinking I might have to quit, which I really could not afford to do."
The state's investigation is not complete, but we're told Bryan will not face any kind of criminal charges. As for Bryan, she hopes to reopen when she does have a license.