A Warren mother says a local daycare crossed a line in the worst way, repeatedly strapping her 5-year-old son into a chair, and now state authorities are digging into what happened.
Soleil Williams says staff at Kid's Avenue Christian Learning Center restrained her son, Amari Dinkins, more than once. Williams told FOX 2 Detroit that Amari has cognitive speech delays but does not have behavioral issues, and she believes there was no reason for him to be strapped down.
According to what Williams told FOX 2 Detroit, a daycare employee reported the alleged restraints to the state, triggering investigations by Children’s Protective Services and Michigan’s child-care licensing bureau. State inspectors were at the Warren facility as part of that review, the station reported. The daycare owner did not respond to requests for comment, and Williams said Amari has been pulled from the Warren location and will now stay with family when care is needed.
Kids' Avenue Christian Learning Center operates multiple locations in Metro Detroit. Its website lists the Warren site at 22605 Van Dyke Road, with another location at 19222 Van Dyke Street in Detroit. Online, the center advertises programs serving children from infancy through pre-K.
How state oversight works
Michigan’s child-care licensing unit, housed within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, oversees daycare centers across the state. The agency can investigate complaints and, when necessary, take emergency steps such as issuing a summary suspension of a license. The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs has previously used that power in cases involving alleged failures to provide appropriate care.
Anyone with reasonable cause to suspect abuse or neglect can contact the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ centralized intake line for Children’s Protective Services. MDHHS provides guidance on how to report concerns, along with resources tailored to both mandated reporters and members of the public.
What to watch next
FOX 2 Detroit reported that a Kid's Avenue staffer was the one who alerted authorities, and that investigators visited the Warren site as part of an active case review. If state officials substantiate licensing violations or abuse, the center could face administrative penalties, possible license action, or referrals for criminal investigation.
We will continue to watch for any public updates from LARA and MDHHS and report official findings as they are released.
