Moberly police and state departments investigate Moberly day care

EDITOR'S NOTE: Part of a paraphrased quote from a Facebook post and names have been removed to protect potential victims and the investigation.

MOBERLY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Moberly Police confirmed Friday it is helping with an unspecified investigation into a childcare facility along with two state departments.

Play N' Learn Daycare is being investigated by police, the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Social Services.

Play N' Learn Daycare is located in the 400 Block of E. Urbandale Drive. It is owned by Naomi Hess. ABC 17 News has previously interviewed Hess about state subsidy payments.

DESE spokesperson Mallory McGowin said the department's Office of Childhood is actively investigating the day care after receiving allegations to investigate on Wednesday.

McGowin said Hess voluntarily relinquished her license during the investigation. Police said the facility is no longer operating.

Hess said she is not at liberty to comment.

Multiple parents have contacted ABC 17 News regarding their children attending Play N' Learn Daycare.

One parent, who asked not to be named to protect their child's identity, said they will pursue criminal charges.

The parent told ABC 17 News they were called by the state to pick up their child from Play N' Learn Daycare on Thursday due to the child being a victim of abuse. The parent said a uniformed officer and two state employees were at the day care at the time.

Another parent told ABC 17 News they have been in talks with Moberly Police and the Department of Social Service's Out-of Home Investigations unit.

A spokesperson for the Department of Social Services said information related to child abuse and neglect investigations is confidential under Missouri law.

Information from the department's website states when a day care facility is accused of child abuse or neglect, the Out-of-Home Investigations unit completes an investigation according to agency policy. The Children's Division works with the state Department of Health and Senior Services Section for Child Care Regulation.

Data on DESE's website shows the license for Play N' Learn Daycare became effective in August 2023.

The site shows there was a compliance monitoring inspection on Aug. 8 this year . Violations listed include medical and immunization reports not being on file, some guardian information not being on file for certain children and Hess' husband, Charles Hess, being short two hours on required child care training.

Earlier violations included an unsafe outdoor space and "hazardous items" being accessible to children including an air freshener and a personal bag. The site shows Play N' Learn Daycare was in compliance with most licensing rules.

DSS encourages anyone who suspects child abuse or neglect to call its 24-7 hotline at 1-800-392-3738.

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