DECEMBER 02, 2002 - Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services (CIS), Bureau of Family Services  has issued an order of summary suspension and notice of intent to revoke action to Kent County family day care home provider, Marla Schuitema, 1786 Pinecroft Lane SW, Wyoming, Michigan.  Marla Schuitema has been ordered to immediately cease providing care to children effective 6:00 P.M. on Tuesday, November 26, 2002.  This action is the result of a recent complaint investigation of the family day care home.

Under Michigan statute, a Family Day Care Home is defined as “a private home in which 1 but fewer than 7 minor children are received for care and supervision for periods of less than 24 hours a day, unattended by a parent or legal guardian, except children related to an adult member of the family by blood, marriage, or adoption.  Family day care includes a home that gives care to an unrelated minor child for more than 4 weeks during the calendar year.”

The November 21, 2002 findings of the complaint investigation found that:

·       On November 14, 2002, she failed to provide appropriate supervision to a day care child (Male, age 5).  A minor household member (Male, Age 4 years) poured gasoline on the day care child, which she did not detect until it was brought to her attention when the parent arrived to pick up the child.  The day care child had gasoline on his shoes, socks, pants from mid-calf to ankle, one coat sleeve from the elbow down and the cuff of the other coat sleeve.  Registrant admitted to leaving a plastic container with the oil/gasoline mixture under the deck, which was accessible to the children.

·        On November 18, 2002, during the Department’s investigation of this incident, another day care child (Male, age 16 months) was observed playing with a gallon jug of bleach that was left on the kitchen floor of the day care home.  Registrant admitted that on a previous occasion, this same child was playing with an open can of WD-40.

Effective 6:00 P.M November 26, 2002, the Summary Suspension Order requires Marla Schuitema not to operate a Family Day Care Home at 1786 Pinecroft Lane SW, Wyoming, Michigan or at any other address or location.  Children are not to be received for care after that date or time.  The order also requires Marla Schuitema to inform all of the parents or guardians of children in care that her certificate of registration has been suspended and that she can no longer provide child care.

Marla Schuitema has held a certificate of registration to operate a family day care since October 10, 2001.  The certificate of registration was for 6 children.

Click here for  more information on child day care licensing.

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