Iowa

'Blanketed cages' seized from child care center

Council Bluffs, Ia. — Police are investigating a Council Bluffs in-home child care center where they seized six cages that contained children’s blankets on Thursday.

Authorities said they served a search warrant at the center but provided few other details. The Pottawattamie County attorney’s office is reviewing the case.

“It was reported to me that baby blankets and kids’ mattresses were located in several of the cages,” said County Attorney Matt Wilber. “But again, no children were in the cages at the time officers were able to gain entry into the residence.”

Police said the parents of the children at the home were contacted and directed to pick up their children. No arrests have been made, and authorities are investigating whether the facility was licensed.

Next day:

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- The devices first thought to be cages found inside a Council Bluffs day care turned out to be stackable cribs, investigators said on Monday.Pottawattamie County Attorney Matt Wilber said over the weekend that baby blankets and children's mattresses were located in several of the cribs, but no children were in them when officers arrived.

On Monday, Pottawattamie County officials said the devices were six stackable cribs, not cages.However, investigators said the day care, located on Avenue L in Council Bluffs, is being investigated on suspicion of operating without a license. The owners are suspected of caring for eight children, which requires licensing under Iowa law.

No arrests have been made in the case.

Comment: Finding fault with childcare is an easy thing to do for officials who don't take the time to ask questions so that they will know what it means to provide good care.