A Shelby mom says a normal afternoon pickup from daycare turned into a nightmare when her 5-year-old came home with a gruesome ear injury that needed stitches and surgery.
Aliyah McClain says her son, Mekhi, was picked up from Unique Kids Daycare on Stony Point Road with his ear split open and a portion that looked like it was missing. She says doctors told her the wound appeared consistent with a bite and that her son needed five stitches. McClain also says part of the repair was done without anesthesia while she stood by and watched.
McClain told WCNC that daycare staff never contacted her after the injury, and that medical staff described the wound as "consistent with a bite." She says the ordeal has left her demanding accountability so other families do not end up in a similar situation.
In a statement to WCNC, the owner of Unique Kids Daycare pushed back, saying the child "didn't get bit" and instead "slipped and fell." The owner said the center has fully cooperated with state officials and local police who investigated, and insisted staff followed emergency procedures.
How Oversight And Complaints Work In North Carolina
Licensed child care programs in North Carolina fall under the watch of the Division of Child Development and Early Education. The agency is responsible for inspecting centers, investigating complaints and posting monitoring reports that parents can check before or after enrolling a child.
According to the North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education, parents can file complaints online. When a concern is raised, the division can show up for unannounced visits, investigate what happened and take administrative action if it finds violations of state rules.
A Pattern Drawing Scrutiny
The Shelby case surfaces at a time when child care providers across North Carolina are already facing intense scrutiny.
In a separate high-profile incident, WSOC reported that a Caldwell County daycare worker was indicted in the death of a toddler, a case that led to criminal charges and a state review.
McClain says she wants answers and concrete changes so another family does not go through what hers has. She is urging parents to keep an eye out for follow-up information as local reviews move forward. In the meantime, families can look up inspection and complaint histories on the DCDEE website and contact county officials with any concerns while authorities complete their review.
