Child care abuse investigation, Olympic hopefuls, rally against EV mandate

Good morning, Small Wonder.

We are just days away from the Fourth of July, so here are some resources to help you plan for a great holiday:

• What stores are open on the Fourth of July? Find out what's open and closed on July 4 ^th
• Will DoorDash deliver to you this Fourth of July? What you should know
• Where to watch 4th of July fireworks in Delaware, and tips on taking photos
• How to celebrate Fourth of July 2024 without the fireworks in Delaware
• Expect a record-breaking number of travelers on Fourth of July week: How to avoid traffic
• Catch up on Delaware's fireworks laws, fireworks safety tips before celebrating July 4th

Are you looking to save some money while having a great time this summer? From museums to parks to pools, here are 10 free things to do in Delaware this summer.

Want to know what the weather has in store? Delaware weather : After June's heat wave, July's forecast calls for more heat. Be safe out there.

And now the news …

This Delaware child care center failed to report abuse concerns. What happened next?

She noticed the bruises at bath time, writes Amanda Fries and Kelly Powers.

“Samantha Dello Buono watched a happy toddler splashing in front of her, not quite 2 years old, when her eyes returned to the soft skin of his inner arms. Already a mom of two, she hesitated. Toddlers will be toddlers, she cautioned, as her son looked up at her from the water, unable to elaborate.

“ ‘I noticed all these marks on the inside of his elbow,’ she said, emotion building behind her eyes as she held her hand to her own arm. ‘It was weird because it was on both of his arms. And looking back now, I feel stupid.’

“The Delaware mom trusted both of her children would be cared for at Holly Oak Child Care Center, a Wilmington-area daycare and early childhood provider. She sent teachers a message online, asking if anything had happened earlier that April day. No one shared anything out of the ordinary,’’ they continue.

“But over these spring months, concerns of an employee’s handling of children bubbled up to administration at Holly Oak.’’

To read about the findings of a Delaware Online/The News Journal investigation, through interviews with parents, board members and former teachers, alongside reviews of texts, emails and recordings obtained by this news organization and the state, go here.

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Hidden Gems Delaware Voices Uplifted!

Not everything good civic action or community improvement in Delaware makes our radar.

Aimed at connecting underserved audiences and shining light on those doing the hard work of improving their communities, we’d like to introduce you to Delaware Voices Uplifted.

Our Facebook Group is a gathering place for Delaware residents to share the good things happening in their neighborhoods, projects and efforts to bring about positive change. Led by Anitra Johnson, this new virtual space is meant to both inform and inspire you.

Hope to see you there! And be sure to let us know what you think.

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This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Child care abuse investigation, Olympic hopefuls, rally against EV mandate