Mother says abuse happened at daycare

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A mother says her two children were abused at a day care facility in Indianapolis, but the day care says that's not the case.

The Director of Pride Academy says on Aug. 27 she contacted the state concerned about the well being of an infant and toddler. Less than a month later, the mom of the two kids said her daughter suffered from a dislocated shoulder and her infant was bit.

She says it all happened at Pride Academy.

The mother says her two-year-old daughter had a dislocated shoulder when she picked her up from day care. The very next day, she says her infant son was bit by another baby.

The manager and director of the day care admit the baby was bit when a teacher went to make a bottle, but they believe the toddler's shoulder was already dislocated when she came to day care that morning.

"We do have children bite other children, and what we do is fill out a form stating what happened and get a signature from the teacher, from me, and from the parent," says Patricia Hollowell, Manager of Pride Academy.

Pride Academy is a ministry based facility, which means they are not required to follow the same state regulations as a licensed facility.

Mindy Bennett with Child Care Answers says, licensed facilities follow more than 200 state regulations, while ministry based day cares follow just over 20.

"In Indiana we're such a separation of church in state from state and there's a fear out there if there are more regulations put on on our registered ministries that they'll begin to regulate other things like what the church can teach," says Bennett.

Ministry based facilities can take part in more regulations, by applying for Voluntary Certification Program. Pride Academy is not part of that program, but the director says they plan to apply.

To search through the 1400 registered facilities, go to www.childcareanswers.com .