The Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office said a judgment of over $41,000 has been entered against a Wichita child care provider for engaging in deceptive actions.
A default judgement was entered against Monica Balfour, doing business as Tia’s Childcare. Prosecutors said she violated the Kansas Consumer Protection Act by acting as an unlicensed childcare provider and using Kansas Department of Health and Environment forms to present the appearance of being licensed.
The court ordered Balfour to pay $40,000 in civil penalties, as well as court costs and investigation fees. The court also permanently restrained Balfour from providing child care services in Kansas without obtaining a license, and she is also banned from operating as a day care facility until all costs and fees from this judgment are paid.
The District Attorney’s Office is reminding consumers to use care when choosing a childcare provider. The City of Wichita Child Care Licensing Department requires all providers to be licensed. In addition, the State of Kansas requires every child care facility to post its license in a conspicuous place on the premises of the business. Each license for a day
care facility must have an expiration sticker on its face stating the date of expiration of the license.
