DHS shuts down 2 more in-home day cares related to ongoing investigation in Colorado Springs

11 News has confirmation from Colorado's Department of Human Services that two more in-home day cares have been shut down in Colorado Springs. This time, both facilities were unlicensed.

A spokesperson for the department says they first received a complaint that Carla Faith was providing unlicensed care at a home on 1319 Franklin St. on Nov. 8, 2019. DHS determined that an unlicensed child care facility was being run at this property and sent Faith a cease and desist order.

That cease and desist order was sent days before another in-home day care operated by Faith was raided. In that bust,

The children were found in a home on the property at 838 Willamette Ave. Parents tell 11 News the day care, called Play Mountain Place, was run out of other buildings on the property that Faith did have a license for. Investigators found she was caring for more kids there than her state license allowed.

On Nov. 14th, the department got another tip about an unlicensed in-home day care at 814 Willamette Ave. Investigators confirmed unlicensed care at that location too.

DHS also suspended the child care license for a pre-school operated by Faith located at 610 E Willamette Ave. Records show all of these properties are owned by Carla Faith.

"I was pretty terrified," said one mother who took her son to Play Mountain Place. She tells 11 News that Faith had previously suggested she move her 2-year-old to another home day care called "New School West." She says the facility was at 814 E Willamette Ave.

The mom, who wanted to stay anonymous, says she found out about the allegations when she showed up to drop her son off at day care on Nov. 14.

“It really is terrifying. That’s kind of the best word I can think of," she said. "I really am a lot more concerned by things I can’t and probably won’t know based on the fact that my child can’t communicate and that I was not provided any sort of communication.”

DHS says they investigate any complaint they receive regarding unlicensed care. The state conducts an on-site licensing inspection and then determines the appropriate action.

Deputy Director of Communications Madlynn Ruble provided the following statement on how the department handles unlicensed child care: