From staff reports
Wee Kids Children's Ministry, located at 1311 Highway 35 N in Kosciusko, was served with a revocation of license notice on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, at 7:35 a.m. by investigators from the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH). The facility’s director, Wendie Hood, was notified of the revocation, signed the document, and was provided a copy. She has 10 days to appeal the decision.
During a tour of the facility, MSDH officials observed two children left unattended in an infant room while they were napping. Caregiver one was standing outside the door in a common room with one infant and two preschool-aged children. Two preschoolers were also napping in the infant room, and one special needs child was observed sleeping in their wheelchair in the common room.
Hood was reminded of the importance of providing adequate supervision, especially for children with special needs, and ensuring all children are properly attended at all times. Hood informed the MSDH officials that she would contact her attorney to review the revocation.
On Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, MSDH officials returned to the facility at 9:15 a.m. to issue an emergency suspension notice. The emergency suspension took effect at 9:25 a.m., and Kosciusko Police Department officers assisted with the enforcement. Hood was notified that all operations at the facility must cease immediately. Parents were contacted, and children began departing shortly after the suspension was issued. The last child was picked up at 11:05 a.m.
The emergency suspension follows an incident on Oct. 4, where two children from the facility were found wandering onto a nearby highway. Hood was arrested on Oct. 8 and charged with child neglect in connection with the incident.
Wee Kids Children's Ministry will remain closed pending further investigation and a formal hearing.
For more details, refer to the October 17 edition of The Star Herald or visit the newspaper’s website.
https://www.starherald.net/local-content/kosciusko-police-and-city-hono…
