State Closes Day-Care Center After Kidnapping

HOUSTON - A southwest Houston day care center was forced to close after a child was kidnapped from the facility, officials told KPRC Local 2 Monday. Texas Department of Family and Protective Services ordered Mothercare Day Care, located in the 8100 block of Beech Cove, closed as of 6 p.m. Monday.

Officials said, "The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) has found that this child-care operation poses an immediate threat to the health and/or safety of the children attending the operation."

On April 11, 21-month-old Jakaila "K.K." Brantley was abducted from the facility by a staff member, Raeshala Raylette Morris, police said. Morris was a trainee at the center and had been there for about two weeks. K.K. was found safe with Morris after a frantic four-hour manhunt, according to investigators. State officials said the day care owner did not request a criminal background check and FBI fingerprint check on Morris.

Mothercare Day Care has been cited for 87 deficiencies, including a lack of staff training, lack of supervision of children, and failure to request criminal background checks.

DFPS said it is preparing to revoke the day care center's permit to operate.

"You did not request a criminal background check and FBI fingerprint check. You also hired her and allowed her unsupervised access to the children in care even after she informed you that her own child had recently been removed from her home by Child Protective Services," DFPS said in a letter.

The closure is in effect for 10 days.

The owner refused to comment. She has 10 days to appeal the decision.

Parents were surprised at the state's action.

"I'm not a happy camper," Stacey O'Donoghue said.

O'Donoghue has been bringing her 3-year-old to the facility since December. She now has to find a new day care without time to look.

"Either today or tomorrow -- what other choice do I have?" she said.

Morris is charged with kidnapping, a third-degree felony. She could get up to 10 years in prison if she is prosecuted and convicted.

A judge ordered that Morris undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

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