| Childcare system in Isles better than most
Hawai'i's childcare system is ranked 14th in a national survey that found many states deficient in their regulation and oversight of childcare centers. While some states do not even require criminal background checks for childcare providers, Hawai'i's licensed daycare centers are inspected regularly to make sure they have adequate staff and space and meet health and environmental standards. "We do have some very good licensing regulations," said Liz Chun, executive director of the Good Beginnings Alliance. Still improvements need to be made so children are better prepared to enter kindergarten, Chun added. As of 2005, 107 of Hawai'i's 475 licensed centers had nationally accredited programs 22.5 percent compared with 19 percent in 2004. "Having almost a quarter of your sites accredited is very good if you look at other states," Chun said.
Utah adoption agency hit by fraud allegations
Operators of a private adoption agency in Utah are accused of duping parents in Samoa into giving them their children and then falsely describing the youngsters as orphans to prospective adoptive parents in the United States.
More than 80 children were illegally taken from their families by conspirators working through the Wellsville office of Focus on Children (FOC), according to a federal indictment unsealed Thursday. The agency allegedly charged the adoptive parents a fee of $13,000 to facilitate the adoption and immigration of a Samoan child.
Both sides of the adoption process had acted in good faith, authorities said. The alleged fraud leaves the status of the children and their placement in U.S. homes, including some in Utah and Wyoming, uncertain.
Broken collar bone leads to daycare lawsuit
DALLAS - A young girl's injuries have led to a lawsuit claiming a worker at the Children's World Stars and Tykes abused the child. However, the lawsuit against the day care, which is located inside the Federal Building on Houston Street, doesn't ask for money. Instead, it asks for answers and accountability for the the child's injuries. The parents of 18-month-old Delaney said they were shocked when they noticed a hand print on their child's arm after they returned home from the daycare one day. "There was no way it can be misconstrued as a fall," said Jeremy Roden, Delaney's father. "It looked like a hand the second we noticed it." However, they said that wasn't the only injury that noticed on their child. Her parents said her collarbone was broken when they picked her up from daycare last November.
Missing Woman's Family Speaks
It's been a tough week for the family of 22 year old Ricarda Tillman Locket. Tear filled eyes show just how hard it's been for them not to see or hear from since she went missing Monday, February 19, 2007. The last time anyone saw Ricarda Tillman-Lockett she was leaving work at Jillians in Peabody Place in Downtown, Memphis. Her coworkers say her estranged husband Lou Locket picked her up. Her family says they knew something was wrong when she didn't pick up her 11 month old son from the babysitter. Her estranged husband Lou Locket told the family he dropped Ricarda off at the women's shelter she'd been staying at for the last month. "But we called to the shelter and they said they haven't seen her since monday morning when she checked out to drop her baby off and go to work, so that right there is a lie in itself," says Willanda Hern, the missing woman's cousin.
Bridal showers require a theme
Hosting a bridal shower that will prove to be memorable requires more panache than simply inverting a paper parasol over the refreshment table and handing the maid of honor a paper plate to deck out with all the bows and ribbons during gift-opening. A new book will inspire those who volunteer for this duty and privilege: "Simple and Stunning Wedding Showers" by Karen Bussen (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 112 pages, 40 color photos, $22.50). Note the Stewart in the publisher's name. Martha has done her share of best-selling bridal books and magazines, but this Stewart refers to Andy Stewart, Martha's ex. The author Bussen is continuing her "Simple Stunning" series with the "Showers" book and another released this month: "Simple Stunning Wedding Flowers." Her "Simple Stunning Weddings" came first in 2004.
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