MARQUETTE — A childcare provider in the city of Marquette has had her group child care home license suspended due to failure to provide appropriate care.

Andrea Richard of 371 W. Wright Place had her license summarily suspended and was issued a notice of intent to revoke her group child care home license by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential’s Child Care Licensing Bureau on Thursday.

The complaint investigation concluded on July 15 and found violations of the Child Care Organizations Act and administrative rules, including but not limited to:

• Failure to act in a manner that is conducive to the welfare of children.

• Failure to provide appropriate care and supervision of children at all times.

• Failure to know the location of children at all times.

MiLEAP’s report cited specific instances of where children were left unsupervised and there was failure to provide appropriate care or supervision.

“Licensee frequently allows Child A, age six years, to walk around the neighborhood with Minor Household Member One, age nine years,” read the MiLEAP report where they list the reasons for suspending Richard’s license. “The area is wooded, and the children are not visible from the child care home after they turn off West Wright Street/Place. They are not accompanied by a child care staff member or an adult. West Wright Place and other streets in the neighborhood do not have sidewalks, and the children walk in the street.”

The report says that two children, ages six and nine years old, were observed walking along M-28 near Wintergreen Trail by Chocolay Township Police Detective Nick Carter. Upon calling Richard, she told Detective Carter that she was unable to leave her home as she was caring for other children. After returning the children to Richard’s home, Detective Carter informed Licensing Consultant Meagan Guindon with the Great Start to Quality Upper Peninsula Resource Center that the children were found in an unsafe location and that it was a “very dangerous situation.” An investigation followed later that week.

Effective at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, the summary suspension order and notice of intent to revoke prohibits Richard from operating a group child care home at 371 W, Wright Place in Marquette or at any other address or location. Richard may not accept children for care after that date and time, and the order also requires her to inform all parents of children in her care that the license has been suspended and that she can no longer provide child care.

According to the MiLEAP press release, it was critical to take emergency action to protect the health, welfare and safety of the children at this group child care home.

More information about child care licensing and regulations, as well as how to file a complaint, can be found online at michigan.gov/MiLEAP.

Abby LaForest can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 548. Her email address is alaforest@miningjournal.net.