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The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services started investigating allegations at Debbie’s Daycare Preschool, at 631 Malcolm Blvd., in September, 2024. The facility’s license was revoked on April 2, according to state records. 

Initial investigation

A 2-year-old child bruised their left ear on Sept. 18, a week before investigators made their first unannounced visit to the facility on Sept. 25, according to a notice of administrative action issued by NCDHHS on April 2. Investigators said a child medical exam determined the injury was consistent with head trauma and physical abuse.

The notice said staff provided inaccurate and inconsistent information about who cared for the child and said they weren't sure how the child was hurt.

Separately, the notice said the owner/administrator, Deborah Brooks, provided inaccurate information about the days and hours she performed administrative duties and told a staff member to write down the inaccurate times, the notice said.

Investigators found that the facility did not use smoke alarms to practice fire drills. Brooks instead would ring a bell for the drills, the notice said.

Someone smoked in a vehicle used to transport children or on the premises of the facility, the notice said. Two staff members smoked cigarettes onsite while children were in their care.

Follow-up visits

In another unannounced visit on Nov. 4, more violations were reported, according to NCDHHS.

Investigators said a staff member’s head was bobbing and her eyes were closed multiple times during nap time. Some of the children were asleep, but some were awake on their cots, according to the notice.

Outdoor toys in the preschool playground were dry rotting and had missing or broken pieces with sharp edges accessible to children, the notice said.

Incident reports for injuries at the daycare were incomplete. A report from a June 12 injury lacked information on first aid provided. An Aug. 26 incident report did not include the first aid provided, the time the parent was notified or the parent’s signature. An Oct. 18 incident report did not include the first aid given, the date or time the parent was notified or the parent’s signature.

Incident logs also weren’t completed. A report for a child’s injury on Oct. 18 was not included on the log.

The daycare did not keep daily attendance records, the notice said.

A child’s medical report was not on file before or within 30 days of admission, and a child’s application didn’t include their birth date, the notice said.

Breast milk, formula and other bottled beverages weren’t fully prepared, dated and labeled for the appropriate child. One bottle didn’t have the child’s name or date, the notice said.

In a Dec. 2 visit, multiple childcare providers did not have medical reports on file or had reports that were more than a year old. Multiple employees, including the director, did not have documentation proving they were free of tuberculosis. Two tuberculosis screening forms were falsified, according to the notice.

License revoked

Brooks was notified by a letter dated Feb. 25 that the department’s Division of Child Development and Early Education was considering revoking her license, according to the notice of administrative action.

Brooks provided information about why she felt her license shouldn’t be revoked, but the division decided to proceed with the revocation anyways, the notice said.

The notice revoking her license was hand delivered on April 2. Brooks is required to post the administrative action and cover letter in a place visible to parents and visitors near the entrance to the facility, even if she decides to appeal the decision.

Brooks could not be reached on Wednesday.