Unlicensed Rockland County Daycare Shut Down After Children Found in Dangerous Conditions

Illegal Daycare Operation Discovered

• 🎯 An unlicensed and overcrowded daycare center in Clarkstown, Rockland County, has been shut down by town inspectors.
• ⚠️ Authorities discovered children being cared for in a windowless basement, posing an imminent risk of danger.

Hazardous Conditions and Fire Code Violations

• ⚡ Inspectors found numerous fire code violations, including improper wiring and the storage of flammable materials near sleeping areas.
• ⛽ The basement area reportedly housed propane cylinders and gas cans alongside children's playpens.

Overcrowding and Certificate of Occupancy Issues

• 📈 The daycare operated out of two buildings on Maple Avenue, with one building having a certificate of occupancy for a house of worship, not a daycare.
• ⚖️ The owner's petition to operate a daycare was never approved, and the building's maximum occupancy of 33 was significantly exceeded.
• 👥 Police found 69 children and 21 adults inside, with one witness reporting seeing 50-60 children in the outdoor area.

Official Response and Legal Action

• 🚨 Child Protective Services evacuated all individuals from the site, and a temporary restraining order is now in place.
• ⚖️ A lawsuit has been filed against the owner, and criminal charges are being considered by Clarkstown officials.