Published: Nov. 13, 2024 at 3:45 PM AKSTFAIRBANKS, Alaska - The church that operates a Fairbanks daycare at the center of a 2023 child abuse lawsuit
Settlements reached on behalf of the six children who were part of the suit — each in the amount of $200,000 — total the other $1.2 million. That portion of the agreement releases defendants from fault and liability for other claims in the case, like abuse and neglect. A hearing to finalize the settlement is scheduled for Friday.
The complaint also alleged that the center’s leadership at the time did not adequately respond to concerns when they were raised. Per the report, “substantiated” were claims that caregivers took children wearing only diapers and socks outside in the cold weather, that caregivers physically hurt children in their care, and that the administration was not addressing concerns brought to them.The department fined open arms $1,500 and required staff to form a Plan of Correction, which they did.
“They decided with the litigation ongoing — we had her step down as business manager. There weren’t grounds for firing her or laying her off," Carlson said.