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Judge shuts Tampa day care center for 90 days

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By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 29, 2009

Updated: 06/29/2009 08:36 pm

TAMPA - A Hillsborough County judge signed a temporary injunction today to keep a woman and a troubled day care center from caring for children.

Deputies served the injunction on Dorothy Ann Sampson-Monroe, who runs Just For Kids on East Busch Boulevard, shortly before 5 p.m., Hillsborough County sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said.

Sampson-Monroe was supervising several children at the center when the injunction was served, Carter said.

In his order, Judge Bernard Silver ruled that "the threat of harm to the children cared for by Dorothy Sampson-Monroe and/or Just For Kids Center is imminent and likely. Dorothy Sampson-Monroe and Just For Kids center are enjoined from caring for any children for 90 days. The sheriff's office's child protective investigators have a right to petition the court for a permanent injunction prior to the expiration of the 90 days."

Sheriff's office investigators filed for the injunction Friday.

Sampson-Monroe was arrested June 17 on child abuse charges but continued to care for children in the building, telling officials she is not charging for the service.

The Department of Children & Families coordinated with county day care licensing officials today to meet with parents whose children attend the center. The goal is to give parents information on other day care options, said Jan Gregory, DCF's deputy regional director.

"Maybe in the end she'll be cleared of these abuse charges," said DCF regional director Nick Cox. "Until we know that for sure, I'm not willing to risk these children's safety, and neither is the sheriff, obviously."

Sampson-Monroe, 47, is accused of inappropriately disciplining four children, ages 3 to 5, at the center.

Two days after she was charged with four counts of child abuse, the center was told that its license was revoked because a woman listed as the owner on the license application said she is not involved with the business.

Sampson-Monroe and Just For Kids have repeatedly violated county ordinances, state statutes and state administrative codes, resulting in actual and threatened harm to children, according to the motion for the temporary injunction.

"Defendants have been notified in writing … that they are to cease and desist from providing child care without a license," the motion states. "However, the facility has remained open and even had another report of institutional child abuse initiated since their child care license was revoked."

Reporter Ray Reyes contributed to this report. Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691.

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