Crime & Safety

Daycare Center Investigated for Toddler Sunburns: Police

County and state officials checking on South Bethlehem daycare after 2 toddlers suffered severe sunburn there last week, police say.

County and state officials are investigating how two toddlers at a Bethlehem daycare center got severely sunburned, causing their shoulders and backs to blister, city police said.

The incident took place Friday at the Foundations Early Learning Academy, 444 Montclair Ave. in South Bethlehem, police said. The incident appeared in the Bethlehem Police Department’s blotter on Wednesday.

Police said Northampton County Children, Youth and Families Division and the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare are involved in the investigation.

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A call placed to the center resulted in the reporter being hung up on.

Northampton County Human Services Director Ross Marcus said he could not confirm an investigation into suspected child abuse.

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However, he said an investigation of this type would typically involve an assessment of the daycare center to determine whether it is safe to continue to allow children to attend and what, if anything, the center might have to change its practices.

The central question to be asked would be whether the sunburn happened accidentally or because of negligence on the part of center personnel, Marcus said.

As part of such an investigation, the county would also notify Pennsylvania DPW because that is the agency responsible for daycare center licensing and a responsible health department or bureau because daycare centers typically serve food, Marcus said.

The Bethlehem Health Bureau performs food safety inspections in the city.


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