A statement sent Thursday night by Facebook messenger reads as follows.
Mr. Laukik Patel is owner of Angel Learning Center - Richmond Hill, LLC, and was operating under Richmond Hill Pals License. ALC was responsible for all aspects of operations for the center beginning in April 2019.
After several reoccurring citations for incomplete comprehensive background checks, Bright from The Start made the decision to move forward with the revocation of the facility's child care license. On Nov. 8, ALC was served with a letter of revocation. An appeal was filed and a hearing was set for Feb. 24.
However, the owner of the building was notified yesterday (Wednesday), that due to "new information" the hearing was canceled and the revocation of Angel Learning Center's childcare license was granted. At this time the owner of the building is unaware of what the new information is. The employees that the facility was cited for all had satisfactory background checks, they were just filed incorrectly. At no time was a child in danger!
A Richmond Hill day care center's doors have been closed after its license was revoked by the state.
Despite cars in its parking lot, doors were locked at Angel Learning Center, 465 Harris Trail Road, and a notice by the state explaining the legal proceedings was posted to its front door.
The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning said the center violated Georgia rules and regulations for child care centers by not ensuring employees passed a background check before being hired.
A statement from the facility said its employees "all had satisfactory background checks, they were just filed incorrectly. At no time was a child in danger."
The statement also said an appeal of the revocation had been filed and a hearing set for Feb. 24, but that hearing was canceled and the revocation was granted.
A judge ruled on Wednesday to revoke the license. In its court documents, the business is referred to as Richmond Hill Play and Learning Specialists LLC, doing business as Angel Learning Center.
The building is owned by Rusty Blackburn, according to an email from Whitney Blackburn, his daughter. A former employee of Angel Learning Center, LLC, Blackburn said in an email Saturday there were 98 children at the facility on Jan. 31. Blackburn said Angel Learning Center took over the facility in April, at which time a ribbon cutting ceremony was held and parents received a letter announcing the change in ownership.
As for the future of the site, Blackburn said there's been interest in purchasing the property and reopening it as a daycare, but they will contact the state Monday and see if that's possible.
