MARQUETTE — The state has suspended a Marquette woman’s group child care home license over claims she failed to provide appropriate care.

Andrea Richard, 371 W. Wright Place, also received a notice of intent to revoke her group child care home license by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential’s Child Care Licensing Bureau.

The complaint investigation that concluded July 15 found violations of the Child Care Organizations Act and administrative rules, including but not limited to:

— Failure to act in a manner that is conducive to the welfare of children;

— Failure to provide appropriate care and supervision of children at all times;

— Failure to know the location of children at all times.

MiLEAP’s report cited specific instances of where children were left unsupervised and there was failure to provide appropriate care or supervision.

“Licensee frequently allows Child A, age six years, to walk around the neighborhood with Minor Household Member One, age nine years,” the MiLEAP report states. “The area is wooded, and the children are not visible from the child care home after they turn off West Wright Street/Place. They are not accompanied by a child care staff member or an adult. West Wright Place and other streets in the neighborhood do not have sidewalks, and the children walk in the street.”

The report states Chocolay Township Police Detective Nick Carte saw two children, ages 6 and 9, walking along M-28 near Wintergreen Trail. When contacted, Richard told Carter she was unable to leave her home because she was caring for other children.

After returning the children to Richard’s home, Carter informed Licensing Consultant Meagan Guindon with the Great Start to Quality Upper Peninsula Resource Center that the children were found in an unsafe location and it was a “very dangerous situation.” An investigation followed later that week.

Effective at 6 p.m. Wednesday, the summary suspension order and notice of intent to revoke prohibits Richard from operating the group child care home at 371 W. Wright Place in Marquette or at any other address or location. Richard may not accept children for care after that date and time, and the order also requires her to inform all parents of children in her care that the license has been suspended and that she can no longer provide child care.

According to the MiLEAP news release, it was critical to take emergency action to protect the health, welfare and safety of the children at this group child care home.

More information about child care licensing and regulations, as well as how to file a complaint, can be found online at michigan.gov/MiLEAP.

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Abby LaForest can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 548, or alaforest@miningjournal.net.