Sioux Falls day care has license suspended after child found blocks away, twice

Updated at 1:30 p.m.: Police are investigating a Sioux Falls day care center after receiving two separate calls about a child from the day care being found blocks away.

The Child Center at 2420 W. Eighth St. closed last week after the Department of Social Services approved an emergency suspension of the company’s day care license.

Police fielded calls about a child found outside the day care on June 10 and June 12. Both calls regarded the same child, and both times he was discovered near the intersection of Fifth Street and Kiwanis Avenue,police spokesman Sam Clemens said Tuesday.

That's roughly five blocks north of the Child Center.

Clemens said police passed the information on to the state social services department and are looking into the matter.

"It's still an open investigation," Clemens said.

A representative for social services confirmed the suspension Monday afternoon but declined to provide details.

The Child Center did not respond to requests for comment made last week and Tuesday.

The state can suspend a day care’s license if officials find “that public health, safety, or welfare imperatively require emergency action,” according to a statute cited by department spokeswoman Tia Kafka.

“An investigation is being conducted,” Kafka said in an email. “A final decision on the center’s license status will be made once the investigation is complete.”

The department’s Division of Child Care Services suspended the Child Center’s license June 12.

Clemens said the boy was near the age of 7.

This story is ongoing and will be updated with more information.