DCF has revoked the licenses for i.K.A.R.E. child care facilities in Jacksonville, according to documents obtained by Action News Jax.
We told you in December when i.K.A.R.E.’s executive director, Torrance Gary, was arrested on charges of child neglect and abuse. He’s accused of covering up a molestation complaint. According to Duval County court records, Gary has pleaded not guilty to both charges.
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Local mother and neighbor Karen Grant found the news unsettling.
“It’s still surprising to hear that a facility that’s getting the funding to take care of children would have these type of allegations against them,” said Grant.
Action News Jax obtained a letter addressed to Gary in early January, detailing DCF’s findings.
According to the document, the DCF investigation found "…inappropriate sexual contact …’ between two minors on Nov. 20, stating one of the children was supposed to have "…one on one supervision at all times, due to his sexual history."
The DCF investigation concluded Gary "…knowingly continued to put the children at risk of harm …’ and ‘…instructed the youth and employees not to report incidents that occurred."
It also details a Nov. 28 report in which a child with high blood sugar was hospitalized. The document states the child didn’t know how to administer insulin, stating "…the staff asked the youth to administer the insulin daily but did not observe him doing so or follow up on their requests."
As a mother, and nurse, Grant says the news was difficult to process.
“They don’t have anyone else,” she said.