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Day Care Shut Down; DHS Says Owner Has Past

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Posted: 11:15 PM Jul 18, 2008
Last Updated: 11:15 PM Jul 18, 2008
Reporter: Jamie Edmonds
Email Address: jamie.edmonds@wilx.com

14 comments

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Just as they picked up their kids Friday, parents got the news the state is shutting down the day care center at 4711 Martin Luther King Boulevard.

"I don't understand why this is happening now," Parent Melissa Goedert said. "Now I got to find new day care for my kids.

The Department of Human Services would not confirm the reason.

Owner Joyce Reser, who was operating the center under another woman's license, blames the previous owner.

"The licensee, which is not me, she had done something prior to me owning the place June 16th," Reser said.

Reser only operated the center about a month, but she's run a home day care center on Mount Hope Highway since 2005.

"I'm operating fine at another day care," she said.

A DHS investigation indicates otherwise. She's licensed for the home center under the name Joyce Cathey. Our research on DHS's website turned up numerous allegations and investigations on her and her home business.

According to a special investigation report dated June 4, 2008, Cathey is a felon-- convicted of drunk driving in 2001, frequenting illegal drug establishments in 1996, plus assault and battery and simple assault in 1996 and 1995.

Her most recent arrest came in May of this year. She's accused of hitting a man with a hammer while the children were inside her home. She spent 26 hours in jail, but charges were never filed.

Separate reports cite Cathey for things like leaving children unattended in a vehicle and showing them movies like "American Pie: Band Camp" and "Scary Movie III"

The parents we spoke to at the MLK center had no idea of Cathey's past.

"It makes me think twice about where my kids go to get day care," Parent Evelena Davis said.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Outsider Looking In Location: Lansing on Aug 4, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Interesting...That's all I can say. I guess this is what happens when you try to do a do good deed...you get made a mockery of and interrogated. I have no connection with this story except for what I've read and seen. First of all to the DAD who commented you seem to be very ignorant. You had no idea what was going on with your child, and still you seem more concerned with the person who didn't get paid "what a concerned parent you are." Also to the DAD AKA Ignorant DAD where was your concern when the other daycare provider was present it seems like more serious things were happening on her time. Also to Concerned Parent sounds more like Ignorant Parent, you as well seem more concerned with the employee whom did not get paid...why? AH-HA you all must be friends! Makes sense why you would be defending them. Ok, Now I know Your Comments Don't Really Matter! On the other hand it's funny that the other lady (Melissa?) disappears the new provider to take the BLAME! Somethings Smells Fishy!

Posted by: Parent of Shut Down Daycare Location: Lansing on Aug 4, 2008 at 10:53 AM
This is unbelievable! To start I thought the story was suppose to be about why the daycare shutdown and guess what it's not! This is a witch hunt looking for someone to blame! The Current but now Ex-Daycare Provider (Joyce Reser) who tried to help the previous daycare owner (Melissa Herschleb)out, because she herself had child abuse allegations against her is being put on trial for the world to see for past mistakes made. It's sad to see that the world will do anything to have a name behind the blame. I myself had a child enrolled in Melissa's Daycare that Joyce so willing took over to help someone in need. I can't believe what the news will resort to in order to find a decent story. I myself never had problems with Joyce Reser as my provider, although when it was under the care of Melissa Herschleb I witnessed childcare employees getting into fist fights, and employees whom I will not mention depriving children of food. DHS and the news should be concerned more with abuse in daycares

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Lansing on Jul 28, 2008 at 06:49 PM
Where's the sexual abuse, kids being molested and fondled. I feel as if she doesn't have anything like that on her record it shouldn't matter. Everybody acting like she killed somebody. Dang, get over it. Answer this DHS, if the sole call assault happened in May of this year, than why haven't you gies done anything. If anything you parents should be upset with DHS not Joyce Reser.

Posted by: Annonymous Location: Holt on Jul 26, 2008 at 12:42 AM
Why can't people just mind there own business. We're already going through enough w/ the economy, school budgets, layoffs, foreclosures. Please just give the women a chance. Putting all her business out there like that. You all wouldn't want someone putting all yall business out ther like that. She must feel like Paris Hilton right about now. I know I would. Like Obama said, "Change for the better." That's what she's trying to do. DANG! So if I have a midemeanor on my record for driving on a suspended license, that makes me a bad person? You gotta be kidding me!

Posted by: Annonymous ELCDC Worker Location: Lansing on Jul 25, 2008 at 11:59 PM
First of all, If you gies really wanna get technical. Melissa Herscleb should be the one in trouble here. Why everyone was thinking she was so innocent, she had licensing called on her several times because her son was biting the other children, yanking children by their arms and throwing them in "Time Out". She lied to the workers about why she was closing down, the real reason was about a child at the center, thats why she can no longer be around children for two years. It could have been your child! HMMM! I'm pretty sure all you parents or whomever have done things in the past. You should never judge a book by it's cover, you have to understand that people can change for the better.Just because they have a past don't use it against them. Joyce was judged based on her past not because of the good she's trying to do. It's alright cause you all will get your day to be judged and that's judgement day before GOD. But like they all say "YOU WILL REAP WHAT YOU SOW". GOD BLESS YOU JOYCE!

Posted by: Concerned parent Location: Lansing on Jul 25, 2008 at 11:34 PM
Finally she has been shut down, no more harm to any children. I feel sorry for the parents that had NO idea what their child's day care director/provider had on her record. Good Luck to the parents who are still looking for a great child care center or group/family home for their children. Good Luck to the previous employee who hasn't gotten paid from Joyce Cathey. She should be an adult and pay the person there money.

Posted by: a DAD on Jul 25, 2008 at 08:52 AM
Finally! Joyce Cathy's home day care center was shut down last night at 6pm! Finally the state did somthing, now maybe the people who work there can be paid as well, I know that one of the day care workers called me and she was told to " Get paid from the prievious Owner " But everyone was being paid from Joyce Cathy's home day care account, so now she woun't pay people either, now that is no suprise about the kind of person she really is!

Posted by: A DAD on Jul 22, 2008 at 11:45 AM
As to the question, who do think shut the day care center down? We made at least 15 phone calls and the day care was shut down the very next day after we found out, so that is what happened, 1day and SHUT DOWN!

Posted by: Concerned Mother Location: Lansing on Jul 21, 2008 at 10:37 AM
My daughter was in ELCDC until we found out Joyce Cathey's background and history relating to illegal drugs, and physical violence. I am angry that the State has even allowed that woman to be anywhere near children-her own included. What it shows is that the State's review process of daycare license applicants is either severely inadequate or there was a massive mistake made in that review. And why is she still operating her in-home daycare? With all of this information, the State still hasn't closed it down! That is a gross injustice to the children. Many families in Lansing do not have a computer to get the info from the State website, or were aware of the issues with this daycare provider. There should be a better way to make the parents aware of daycare violations. Parents need to be informed before more and worse things happen to their children.

Posted by: A DAD on Jul 20, 2008 at 01:50 PM
The nam of the day care center is Early Learners, the entire case is being investigated and that is why it was a bit vage.

Posted by: a grandmother Location: Holt on Jul 20, 2008 at 09:08 AM
This story needs followup by a seasoned investigative reporter; WHY is the former owner in Texas? Do they have charges? Were there any citations at this daycare? What about the employees? MORE FACTS, please; not just scandal. How many of us have pure lives? Much of the public wants real information.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 19, 2008 at 11:50 PM
To -dad in lansing If you knew all this then why did your son go there and why didnt you say anything before things got out of hand remember evil wins when good people do nothing

Posted by: Jennifer Location: Lansing on Jul 19, 2008 at 10:51 AM
The reporter did not do a very good job at this story considering she never mentioned the name of the day care center! Isn't that an important part of the story?

Posted by: A DAD Location: lansing on Jul 19, 2008 at 10:06 AM
My son was in this daycare center, I know for a fact that Joyce is lying! She was opperating under the previous superintendants license, who has now fled to Texas. Not only that but both of her EX-husbands are convicted Criminal sexual conducted Felons, and her current husband is on Parole! He was assulted by her and he is not to be with in 100 feet of ANY school, and he was doing the maintenance there! Now Joyce is acting as if she is so innocent, but she has been running the place and not being authorized by the state of michigan. Her alias she has been using has on suited to gain her profit and economical status, she needs to be locked up and sent away. Now there is a new aligation about a possible Sexual Assult on a little girl, who's parents transfered her from Joyce's " home daycare facility " where EX-con's frequent, to Early Learners day care center. It is public record and the state of Michigan has once again failed us and had no reguard for our trust in the system to protect!

Expert: Big 3 Failure Would Be Disaster

Posted By: Buzz: Why should the Big 3 be bailed out? GM wants to sell off our discontinue the Saturn, which is affordable but has made no mention of discontinuing the Corvette and other less affordable models. If GM wants help have them pick one particular model in each of its lines, i.e. the Lacrosse for Buick, Impala for Chevrolet and the Aura for Saturn. GM is about as impervious as the out-going President is - they just don't get it! I read and sympathize with the line workers who say they can't even afford to buy a new car from the company that they work for - that's pretty sad and certainly doesn't promote company solidarity. Like I've said before, make the Big 3 sell what's sitting at all the dealerships even if they have to take a loss before making another automobile. Why keep making what nobody wants at prices nobody wants to pay?
Posted By: Beth: The Big 3 failure would be a major disaster - I agree. However, I don't feel that the government or tax payers should bail them out until they have made the same kinds of concessions that citizens, small business, and union members have already made. Begin by severely downsizing the execs and their benefits i.e. luxuries. Times are tough and they should share in the "recession life style" is part of the reason for decreased car sales. I need a newer car badly, but it's not on my shopping list any time soon. They are flying and driving nice cars. Get real! The union members have suffered considerable cuts already including loss of workers, benefits and wages. Make equal cuts in management, wages, and benefits, then look at union members' additional concessions, and financial aide from the government.
Posted By: jon: like i said we the workers will and are getting hurt.they gain we lose
Posted By: ME: Thank you UAW, if the union would not have barganed until the big 3 couldn't afford it any more we would all be able to afford nice cars. I was in the union before and it definently isnt all peaches and cream. Sure they will fight to get you more but look what it has done.. Workers recieved more then the company could afford and now more may lose everything. Thanks again UAW. It is flat out B.S. that the government will bail out huge corporations but only give the autos a loan. Its all for the politicians gain, main street America has been hurting alot longer then wall street, but wall street affected the politicians pocket so they did something about it. Mr & Mrs politician help us out, cut your pay & benefits.......quit cutting ours.
Posted By: LegallyRad: To Explain: If the banks were not bailed out, that would have affected the big 3, and every other business that deals with the banks (show me one that doesn't). This has nothing to do with Bush. Big 3 are very poorly run, and concede too much to organized labor. The bail out will first be essentially worthless since it will amount to a drop in a bucket, and the companies just blow cash. They need to fail to preserve our American capitalistic economy. Chances are only one or two of them will go out of business, but if they properly restructure then they could be saved... restructuring means cutting labor costs and consolidating products. If you want to blame something, it's mostly due to the mortgage crisis which began with Carter and Clinton who refused to allow banks to ensure that people could actually pay for their loans because they felt it might be discrimination. Look where that policy got us. Bush just happens to be in office when their poorly built floor calapsed.
Posted By: Michele: I cannot believe that they are not going to bail out the Big 3.Ford is not even sure it is going to need the money. And why do the banks get bailouts with no questions asked but they make the Big 3 jump through hoops of fire and all they want to do is borrow the money...... Reid is an idiot, and doesn't have a clue of how manufacturing works and what the ramifications down the road will be. Including restraurant, stores, and other service industries closing and going out of business due to lack of business. Let's keep America working!
Posted By: : George Bush did not run our country in the ditch. He crash it stright into the wall at 100/mph.
Posted By: pat: this is one more reason we need to thank George Bush for running our country into the ditch!

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