A consoldated list of unlicensed child care incidents and articles across Canada
CP24: Baby boy dies at unlicensed home daycare: report
February 27, 2014
“Toronto police and provincial officials are investigating the death of a four-month-old boy who died at an unlicensed home daycare earlier this month.” The Toronto Star has reported that this is the fourth child to die in unlicensed child care in the GTA over the past seven months.
The four month old baby was found without vital signs at an apartment near Keele Street and Finch Avenue West. The boy was pronounced dead at the hospital. The cause of death is unknown but police are investigating and have classified the death as suspicious “which is standard for all deaths of children under five”.
The baby boy was found without vital signs at an apartment building at 20 Broadoaks Dr., near Keele Street and Finch Avenue West, in north Toronto on Feb. 14.
Toronto Star: Baby found dead in unlicensed daycare
February 26, 2014
“A baby boy died on Valentine’s Day while being cared for at an unlicensed home daycare in the northwest corner of the city, police and provincial government officials say.”
Police confirmed they were called to an apartment near the Keele St and Finch Ave W area on Feb 14th, where they found the 4 month baby boy without vital signs. The cause of death remains unknown.
This is the fourth child to die in unlicensed child care in the last seven months.
Toronto Star: Woman charged in daycare death makes first court appearance
January 11, 2014
The woman charged with manslaughter in the death of a 2-year-old girl left in her care last July has been charged with manslaughter. On July 4th 2013, Allison Tucker, just shy of her third birthday, was found dead in the bathtub of Maria Sosa’s apartment. Sosa reportedly ran an unlicensed child care from this space.
When emergency officials arrived on scene, Allison was found without vital signs.
“Toronto police Const. Sarah Diamond told the Star on Friday that “various injuries” brought to light during Tucker’s autopsy “substantiated” the charges against Sosa.”
Toronto Sun: Police charge babysitter in tot's July death
January 10, 2014
“The babysitter of a toddler who was found lifeless in a bathtub in North York last summer has been charged in the tot’s death, Toronto Police said Friday.”
Two year old Allison Tucker was found with no vital sounds when police and paramedics arrived on scene July 4th 2013. Maria Sosa, who was caring for Allison, was arrested Friday and charged with manslaughter.
Police has not said if Allison drowned or died in some other way. Sosa was reportedly running an unlicensed child care and was looking after her two children while caring for Tucker.
Toronto Star: Baby dies at unregulated Markham daycare, sparking police probe
November 25, 2013
The police and the province’s chief corner are investigating the death of a 9 month old baby who died in an unlicensed child care facility; the third in unlicensed child care this year.
When emergency responders were called to the residence on the Meadows Ave near Country Glen Road, the baby girl was not breathing. A post-mortem examination was conducted and found no signs of trauma to the body. It is not known how the infant died, however the corner is waiting on toxicology reports.
Toronto Star: String of unregulated home daycares dominate Toronto street
October 25, 2013
The article discusses “Daycare Blvd.” a residential street in the east end of Toronto where six houses side-by-side operate unregulated home child cares. This follows the vast media attention this past summer on the risks of unregulated home child care.
Martha Friendly, head of the Toronto-based Childcare Resource and Research Unit discusses how individuals are able to navigate through loopholes in the Day Nurseries Act and continue to operate unlicensed home child care as “small businesses”.
Brampton Guardian: Halton daycare complaints sent to the province expose gaps
October 7, 2013
Regional health officials admit they do not know the outcome of complaints about unlicensed daycares that were referred to the Ministry of Health.
Toronto Star: Daycare Crisis: Halton health complaints show gaps in unlicensed care
October 7, 2013
Gaps in inspection and regulation of unlicensed home daycare are highlighted by a Freedom of Information request made by the Toronto Star. Three of five complaints of health violation in unlicensed daycares are not followed up on by Halton Public Health, but are referred to the Ministry of Education, who has no jurisdiction over health and safety.
Toronto Star: Mississauga daycare operator facing manslaughter trial
September 30, 2013
April Luckese has now been charged with manslaughter in the death of toddler Duy-An Nguyen.
Toronto Star:Ontario inquests urge more rules for home daycares
September 25, 2013
Over 30 years, inquest verdicts on unlicensed child care deaths show that little has changed to prevent tragedies from happening; a call for provincial insight on unlicensed child care is needed.
Toronto Star: Ontario slammed for poor oversight of unlicensed daycares
September 23, 2013
NDP critic Monique Taylor questions Minister of Education Liz Sandals regarding the previous inspections of the unlicensed Vaughan home day care.
Toronto Star: Ontario seeking more power over unregulated daycare
September 20, 2013
This article discusses the role and power of the Ministry of Education over unlicensed child care in Ontario.
CNW Newswire: Home Child Care Association of Ontario calls for all home child care to be licensed in Ontario
September 20, 2013
The Home Child Care Association of Ontario’s press release describes their position on licensing all home child care in Ontario.
CBC News: License all home daycares, Sudbury operator says.
August 23, 2013
Sudbury child care operator and past president of the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care Tracy Saarikoski discusses the need for all child care centres to be licensed.
Toronto Star: Why are child death investigations taking so long? Ontario's chief coroner explains
August 23, 2013
This article discusses the lengthy process is determining cause of death in children.
Toronto Star: Government eyes double standard in daycare reports
July 31, 2013
This article outlines problems with Ontario’s daycare policies that have been highlighted following the death of a toddler in an unlicensed Vaughan daycare and includes a quote from the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care’s Andrea Calver.
Toronto Star: Daycare secrecy is deplorable
July 27, 2013
This article consists of three letters to the editor regarding Ontario’s daycare policies.
The Hamilton Spectator: The Struggle for Decent Daycare
July 27, 2013
This article discusses the child care issues in Ontario. The article includes quotes from Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care’s Andrea Calver.
The Hamilton Spectator Ediorial: The Spectator’s View: Steps toward solving the daycare dilemma
July 27, 2013
This editorial outlines Ontario’s child care issues and potential strategies to improve.
CBC News: Kitchener woman accused of poisoning kids avoids eye contact with families
July 24, 2013
This article discusses Christine Allen’s behaviour in court and that she is remaining in custody.
CTV News: Child poisoning suspect makes court appearance
July 24, 2013
An article and video (2:23 minutes) describing Christine Allen’s court appearance. Includes a victim’s mother’s quote.
CBC News: Alleged daycare poisoning highlights danger of eye drops
July 24, 2013
This article describes the health dangers of ingesting eye drops
Toronto Star: Kitchener mom, former day care owner charged in kids' poisoning
July 23, 2013
This article discusses information on Christine’s Allen’s psychological health, former unlicensed daycare, and the circumstances of the charges against her. The article includes a quote from Lauren Ramey who is the spokesperson for Minister of Education Liz Sandals.
CBC News:Kitchener mom 'overwhelmed' after son's alleged poisoning
July 23, 2013
This article describes a personal story of one of the victim’s mother who was poisoned by Christine Allen. An audio clip (6:53 minutes) of the victim’s mother is available.
Toronto Star-Editorial: Ontario must stop hiding inspection reports on unlicensed daycares
July 22, 2013
This editorial discusses accessing complaint history of unlicensed daycares in Ontario.
Toronto Star Opinion/Readers’ Letters: Using Privacy as a Shield
July 22, 2013
Very powerful letter from Ann Cavoukian, Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario discussing privacy around daycare complaints.
CBC News: Kitchener, Ont., ex-daycare operator accused of poisoning children
July 22, 2013
An article and video (2:26 minutes) discusses the circumstances of the arrest of former unlicensed daycare provider Christine Allen, who is accused of poisoning children with eye drops.
Toronto’s Metro Morning: Feature interview with Don Giesbrecht
July 11, 2013
Don Giesbrecht, CEO of the Canadian Child Care Federation speak about fact that there are only 900,000 licensed childcare’s but we have over 3 million children who have parents in the work force.
Toronto Star: Drowned toddler recalled as talkative and ‘lovely'
July 5, 2013
This article describes the toddler, Allison Tucker, as she was viewed by neighbours and the babysitters husband.
Toronto Star: 2-year-old girl dead after being left alone in bathtub
July 4, 2013
This article describes how a toddler was rushed to the after being found unconscious in her babysitters bathtub.
Inside Toronto News: Two year old drowns in bathtub in North York Apartment
July 4, 2013
This article discusses a toddler’s drowning under a babysitter’s care.
CBC News Player: Baby Drowns
July 4, 2013
This video (1:51 minutes) includes brief relevant interviews involving the child’s drowning in the care of a babysitter.
Metro News: 2-year-old girl dead after being left alone in bathtub
July 4, 2013
This is a brief description of the events surrounding the child’s fatal drowning in the care of a babysitter.
CBC News: Winnipeg parent finds 6 kids left alone at St. Vital daycare
May 30, 2013
6 children between the ages of 1-5 were left alone at an unlicensed home child care in Manitoba for over an hour. Winnipeg police said they got a call from a concerned parent saying they believed a number of children were left unattended in a St. Vital home.
The Huffington Post: B.C. Child Care Operator Sentenced to 18 Months in Infant's Death
May 27, 2013
A Coquitlam, B.C., daycare operator has been sentenced to 18 months in jail in connection with the 2011 death of an 11-month-old boy who was left unmonitored in a car seat in a room in the facility, and found strangled by the carrier's strap.
CBC’s Marketplace Who's Watching The Kids?
February 22 2013
Marketplace’s broadcast video investigates unlicensed daycare. The video (22:29 minutes) includes a section on the Gloria De Melo unlicensed daycare care. The web page also includes multiple links to fact sheets, surveys and inquest recommendations.
CBC News: Tighten rules for home daycares, inquest jury recommends
December 6, 2012
This article and video (2:40 minutes) discusses the need to tighten rules for home daycares, following the death of Jeremie Audette.
CBC News: Dad of drowned toddler criticizes daycare pools
November 29, 2012
This article describes child care issues today and includes quotes from Jeremie Audette’s father, Alain Audette.
CBC News: 31 children at home of 2010 drowning, inquest told
November 28, 2012
This article summarizes all aspects of the drowning of Jeremie Audette at an unlicensed child care.
Ottawa Citizen: Inquest called into daycare drowning of Jeremie Audette
October 25, 2012
This article discusses the penalties given by the child care provider who was providing care to Jeremie Audette at the time of his death, as well as the inquest.
Toronto Star: Family had planned to pull baby out of home daycare
January 9, 2011
This article discusses the death of 14 month old Duy-An Nguyen and includes a quote from her Uncle.
CBC News: Murder charge laid in baby's daycare death
January 7, 2011
This article discusses April Luckese’s murder charge in the death of 14 month old Duy-An Nguyen, who died at April’s unlicensed home child care.
Ottawa Citizen: Children were kept in playpen in furnace room, father says.
October 31, 2007
An Ottawa unlicensed daycare provider, who one father alleges kept several children in a playpen in her home's furnace room, was criminally charged with four counts of forcible confinement and one count of obstructing police.
National Post: Daycare operator has charge dropped
November 3, 2007
This article discusses Gloria De Melo’s negligence charges being dropped.
Toronto Star: Negligence charge for daycare owner
May 2 2007
This article discusses Gloria De Melo’s negligence charge.
City News: Negligence Charges Officially Laid Against Local Daycare Operator
May 1, 2007
This article describes the negligence charges officially laid against Gloria De Melo and the closing of her unlicensed daycare.
National Post (No Date): Home daycare owner charged
This article discusses the charges against Gloria De Melo, the owner of a Riverdale unlicensed daycare named Happy Child Care. 26 children were being cared for on the day that a child was bitten 20 times.