LODI, CA - A complaint investigation report with the California Department of Social Services accuses a Lodi daycare provider of putting several babies in car seats and leaving them in dark closets, bedrooms and bathrooms with the doors shut.
California Department of Social Services workers filed the complaint after they made an unannounced visit to the home of Dorothy Bernhoft Tuesday. Department of Social Services Spokesperson Michael Weston said the investigation was spurred by a complaint made to their office. The complaint states that Bernhoft had nine infants and one child over 2 years old in her care.
Workers state that they found multiple children left unattended upstairs in closets, bedrooms and bathrooms and restrained in car seats. It also states that radios were left on to hide the sound of the children. Lodi police attended the unannounced visit, but no arrests have been made.
Detectives are still investigating before sending the case to the District Attorney's Office to decide on possible charges. Weston said none of the children were hurt and that Bernhoft's license has been suspended indefinitely. Daycare owner Bernhoft was at a loss for words about the complaint. "I am no longer running a daycare," Bernhoft said.