Parents of children at a local church daycare are shocked and alarmed after serious allegations come forward about one of its employees.
Memphis Police and state agencies are looking into whether there was inappropriate touching at Trafalgar Village Baptist Daycare on Summer Avenue.
The Department of Human Services (DHS) says officials began investigating a complaint about one of the daycare’s employees filed on April 16. Memphis Police say investigators started looking into forcible fondling accusations at the daycare last week. A letter was sent home to parents Monday about the investigation, two weeks after that initial complaint.
“I’m shocked. I’m surprised. I never would have expected to have that at the daycare. They’ve always done great with my sister. That’s crazy,” said Teighlor Rasmussen, whose sister attends the daycare.
DHS tells Local 24 News a complaint was filed two weeks ago. DHS sent investigators to the daycare April 17.
“I think we need to get to the bottom of it and understand what exactly happened because we do have our kids here and I would like to know answers,” said William Beckman, who has a son in the daycare.
In the letter sent to parents, it states the employee in question has been suspended indefinitely and proper authorities have been notified.
“I just think it’s really alarming. We just got to always look out after our kids and see what’s really going on because we trust these people,” Beckman stressed.
Memphis police say one week ago, investigators started looking into a forcible fondling accusation. However, no one has been arrested or charged in the case. Local 24 News did some digging and found there have been no complaints filed at the daycare dating back to 2013, but parents and family members of the children who go here are still on edge.
“Terrified. Sad that my sister is going somewhere where they would have that happening here especially at a Christian day care,” Rasmussen said.
According to the DHS website, roughly 200 children are being cared for at this daycare. DHS says it will continue to monitor the situation until the investigation is over.
