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Sandra Yi ReportingPolice searched a Herriman day care center Friday, as fraud allegations turn into threats of violence. Three people are are behind bars in connection with fraud allegations.
It happened at the Small Wonders Development Center at 5700 west 13400 south in Herriman. The Salt Lake County Sheriff's office served a search warrant there this afternoon after learning of allegations of possible fraud, forgery and assault.
There were 35-40 children there at the time the search warrant was served. Investigators say they handled it carefully, so as not to alarm any of the kids. Parents have been notified, but there are still several children there. DCFS is involved in helping to care for them.
Owner Michaela Meyers, along with co- workers Jeremy Stewart and Leslie Zimmerman, were arrested at the Small Wonders Development Center.
The sheriff says the center's license was recently suspended, after allegations of fraud. The sheriff said the suspects were scamming some employees and parents, dipping into their bank accounts. One mother told investigators she was defrauded $900.
Investigators say the suspects planned to retaliate against three former and current employees of the center, who were the so-called 'whistle blowers.' The retaliation was supposed to be a home-invasion burglary, planned for sometime this week.
The man arrested was an employee at the center. He apparently has a criminal past.
Rumors of drug use are circling, but investigators say they can't confirm that at this moment.
