MORRISTOWN, Tenn — UPDATE 8/3/21:
The Department of Human Services has identified the woman who it says was running an illegal day care as April Barnard.
DHS spokesperson Sky Arnold said the department issued a temporary restraining order against Ms. Barnard on July 9.
"This order prevents Ms. Barnard from operating an illegal day care and requires her to grant access to DHS child care licensing staff to conduct inspections and ensure she’s complying with the order," Arnold said.
He said a final hearing will be held in Hamblen County Chancery court on September 23.
ORIGINAL STORY:
On July 1, authorities received a tip about an illegal daycare operation in Morristown, according to a spokesperson from the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS).
The Hamblen County Sheriff's Office said there were 36 children between the ages of 2 months old and 8 years old at the daycare. A search of the state's licensure website shows no listings at the address on Jaybird Avenue.
"By law, in Tennessee, an individual is legally allowed to care for no more than four unrelated children at a time," a spokesperson for TDHS said. "The investigation is ongoing and we are currently exploring appropriate actions to be taken."
TDHS said it has no records of any previous complaints about this location. It visited the address on July 7, along with the Department of Children’s Services Special Investigative Unit.
10News spoke with a woman inside the home who did not identify herself. When asked if there was a daycare at the home, she replied 'not anymore.'
We then asked her whether she ran the program and how long it had been in operation. She said that "doesn't matter" and shut the door.
She came back outside after she said she spoke with her lawyer. She then told 10News that the allegations are "false information."
TDHS said licensure requirements seek to maintain the adequate health, safety, and supervision of children while in a licensed care setting.
To see whether daycares are licensed and/or in compliance with state regulations, parents can visit the Child Care Map on the Tennessee Department of Human Services website.