Shortly after the owner of a Hall County daycare center bonded out of jail Tuesday night, her attorney said the center is dropping its appeal of a state-issued closure after the burning of a boy at the facility.
Minnie "Sue" Dupree, 66, and her daughter, Tara Miller, 40, were both arrested Monday for allegedly trying to cover up how a 16-moth-old boy was badly burned at the daycare. Dupree owns Discovering Basics and Miller is the center's director. Both women posted bond Tuesday night, according to Hall County jail officials.
The boy, Damon Gaddis, received second- and third-degree burns on his stomach and left leg on June 13 at the Cleveland Highway daycare, according to police.
The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning issued an emergency closure notice Friday because its investigation found that children attending the program were “in imminent danger,” according to a news release from spokesman Reg Griffin. The daycare initially planned to appeal the closure, but Tuesday night withdrew the appeal.
Griffin said Discovering Basics will be closed for 21 days, beginning Wednesday morning.
Dupree was charged with trying to influence testimony after investigators concluded she had intimidated employees regarding the case and asked them to destroy evidence, said Deputy Nicole Bailes, spokeswoman for the sheriff.
Miller faces a child cruelty charge because investigators believe she knew about the boy’s second- and third-degree burns but did not seek medical attention, Bailes said.
Police say Miller assisted daycare worker Eddye Pittmon with applying ointment to the wounds, which suggests she knew the extent of the child's injuries.
Pittmon, 55, was arrested Friday and also faces a child cruelty charge. She has been held in the Hall County jail since her arrest and has a bond hearing scheduled for Thursday.
The case remains under investigation by the Hall County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Division.
About the Author
