911 call leads to discovery of unlicensed day care

(8/06/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- Several parents could get a surprise Tuesday morning when they try to drop their children off at a southwest Houston day care, one that we've learned is unlicensed and unregistered.

It's a day care at an apartment complex in the 6000 block of Bissonnet that should not even be open.

For 12 years, Ana Pacheco has run the day care out of her southwest Houston apartment without a license. On Monday, one of the children she was watching began to choke. A 911 call led paramedics to Pacheco's one bedroom apartment, where they found 15 children.

The child who was taken to the hospital is expected to be OK. But the prognosis for Pacheco's day care business is not as good. Pacheco said she did take classes to get her license, but many of her clients refuse to fill out the necessary paperwork.

"They didn't want to do the forms and process that it took, the great care that it took, because they come and check," said Pacheco's daughter, Josselin Linares.

At $60 per week, Pacheco's day care is all two working mothers we spoke with can afford.

"She's very good," said client Any Barahona. "My baby, she loves my baby-sitter."

Pacheco expects a visit from CPS soon and realizes that her days as an unlicensed day care are over.

"She's going to go again and do everything again," said Linares. "It'll be safer."

Three of the children found Monday belong to Pacheco. CPS is expected to make a trip to the day care Tuesday, meaning parents involved will have to find a new day care for now.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

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