Daycare Accused In Belt Incident Was Site of Previous Death

UPDATE - 2/17/12

Seven On Your Side learned Maxie Mom's was the scene of a death investigation in 2008, when it was under a different name and ownership, though current owner Tracy Maxie was employed there at the time.

In May 2008, investigators say 2-month old Zay Morris suffocated at All God's Children Daycare. They say a worker placed him in a crib, loosely wrapped in blankets and lying on his side. The investigation concluded with no charges being filed; however, DSS cited the facility for failing to put Morris to sleep on his back and not having approved crib mattresses. DSS also shut down the daycare's infant room. 

Maxie worked there at the time but was not the worker involved in the death, according to DSS. After the incident, Maxie and her husband bought the business from Wanda and Doug Nichols and changed the name to Maxie Mom's. The Maxies would not comment on this story.

According to DSS, Maxie Mom's has been cited for five violations since 2010, including one violation because two staff members had not had background checks. DSS says all of the violations are resolved, meaning the daycare corrected them.

ORIGINAL STORY - POSTED 2/16/12

An Oconee County daycare owner is accused of taking one punishment too far.

Tracy Maxie, 42, owner of Maxie Mom’s Daycare faces charges of unlawful conduct toward a child.

“We had a parent bring in a child to the police department to file a report over suspected abuse that occurred at the daycare,” said Chief John Covington with the Seneca Police Department.

Investigators say a father filed an incident report after he noticed bruising on his son’s bottom that resembled belt marks.

The dad told officers, he picked up his four-year-old from daycare and was told his child was in trouble for sticking his hand down the pants of Maxie’s one-year-old granddaughter.   

The police report states, Maxie used a belt to spank the boy for misbehaving.

“In this case, we feel that the line was crossed between discipline and a criminal act,” Covington says.

Authorities questioned Maxie about the incident.  She told police, she took the child to the office where he admitted what he did, he apologized, and then she took him back to his room.

South Carolina does not have a law that forbids corporal punishment.  Police say it’s up to the business or school to make their own policy.

According to Covington, this is the first incident police are aware of that has happened at the Maxie Mom’s Daycare. 

Staff refused to comment on what took place.

Maxie was arrested on Wednesday.  A judge set her bond at $50,000.

The National Association of Child Care Resources and Referral Agencies suggests before choosing a daycare, parents should visit the facility

Once there, stay for at least an hour to watch activities, check the surroundings, and ask questions.