Child Center Denied Permit

CANOGA PARK â€”  A defunct day-care center has been denied an operating permit after state officials charged owners with failing to supervise children and allowing dangerous conditions in play areas.

Infants Plus, which closed late last year, had operated without proper state licenses since February, 1991, and did not refund deposits to parents whose children attended the center at 20634 Roscoe Blvd., said California Department of Social Services spokeswoman Liz Brady.

Operators Thelma Valmonte and Rosalind Craft could not be reached Monday to comment on allegations that they lied to parents by telling them that the facility was licensed and that they neglected children in their care.

Brady said investigators found instances where infants were allowed to fall asleep with bottles in their mouths, increasing the danger of choking. And areas around slides and swing sets were not properly padded to prevent injury, Brady said.

“Little kids need some help getting through life,� she said.

Of the 49,000 licensed day-care centers in California, about half of 1% are closed every year for failing to comply with state regulations, Brady said, adding that operators of unlicensed facilities are encouraged to apply for an operating permit.

“If people decide they don’t want to abide by the rules and regulations, we’ll work with them to change their minds or we’ll shut them down,� Brady said. She explained that Valmonte and Craft refused to comply with state rules necessary to obtain a permit.

Brady encouraged parents to investigate potential day-care centers by calling the state social services department to confirm that they are licensed. “We can provide assistance and reassurance,� she said. “If they think there is something wrong, they can ask and our investigators will respond immediately.�