
                         THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
                 Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, June 9, 1994                    TAG: 9406090745 
SECTION: LOCAL                     PAGE: D5    EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS 
DATELINE: 940609                                 LENGTH: RICHMOND

STATE INVESTIGATES DAY CARE CENTER

{LEAD} The state is investigating a Richmond day care center where police say a 6-year-old girl was left asleep all night in a locked van.

The Department of Social Services' investigation is designed to determine what the staff of the Sunny Day Child Care Center does to make sure children get home safely, said Wayne Johnson, a licensing administrator for the department.

{REST} ``The critical issue is to try to assure the safety of the kids,'' Johnson said.

The Rev. Christine J. Shelton, Sunny Day's director, disputed the account of police and the mother of Tanisha Crute that the child had been left in the center's van Friday.

``All children were delivered home safely, including Tanisha Crute,'' Ms. Shelton said. ``Every child got off the vehicle.''

Richmond police said the girl had fallen asleep as the center's van was taking children home last Friday and remained asleep when the driver returned to Sunny Day.

{KEYWORDS} DAY CARE INVESTIGATION by CNB