Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Sandra Yi ReportingFormal charges are coming against three people arrested for defrauding parents at a Herriman day care, then plotting to retaliate against the person who turned them in. Authorities served a search warrant at the Small Wonders Development Center on Friday.
The 'Small Wonders Development Center' is closed today.
Victoria Lickiss, Former Employee: "You'd hope that the reason why people get into day care is because they love the children."
But Victoria Lickiss calls what she saw at the Small Wonders Development Center, horrifying.
Victoria Lickiss: "You watched children basically being aggressively thrown up against a wall to be put into time out, and they would have their leg on their back to hold them against the wall."
She reported such incidents to authorities. The state eventually suspended the day care's license. That's what may have put Lickiss in the path of danger.
Victoria Lickiss: "I was warned by the authorities."
On Friday, investigators busted the day care and searched the place. They arrested the owner, Michaele Meier, and her sister, Leslie Zimmerman. Also arrested was an employee, Jeremy Stewart, who investigators say has a criminal record.
Victoria Lickiss: "Michaela had asked Stewart, Jeremy Stewart, to hire someone to come get me."
Investigators say the suspects planned a home invasion robbery to retaliate.
Victoria Lickiss: "They had a floor plan to my home."
The news terrified Lickiss, who has five children, including a three-year old son.
Victoria Lickiss: "The first thing goes to your mind is, what about my children?"
Authorities also uncovered a fraud scheme involving the suspects. They say workers forged documents to steal from parents' bank accounts.
Victoria Lickiss: "These were large sums of money. One was almost 500, one was 900 dollars. And as each day goes on, we're discovering more and more."
Lickiss says parents shopping for a day care should spend a day there and talk to all employees and parents. Meantime, she hopes to open her own day care out here to help out parents who no longer have a place to take their kids.
