Child abuse alleged at Clinton County daycare

CLINTON COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - A number of questions remain after allegations of child abuse swirl at a Clinton County Daycare.

"Rainbow Connection Childcare" is housed at Rossville Presbyterian Church.

According to the Pastor John Everett, an anonymous letter sent last Tuesday claims physical and mental abuse took place at the facility.

The daycare operates independently of the church.

Everett tells us their board has been meeting every night to determine what actions they will pursue.

Everett also says the church notified The Department of Child Services of the allegations.

DCS can't confirm or deny the report.

"When the report comes to the hotline, it's dispatched to the individual field workers in that county," Angela Smith-Grossman, DCS district 5 regional manager, said. "The field investigators from this office will go to those homes, institutions, daycares, or whatever the case may be, and actually do interviews with people that have been impacted or might have witnessed events. They'll asses medical records, school records, anything that would help [DCS] understand the comprehensive picture of the report."

Rainbow Connection is a licensed daycare. Although DCS does not release details of abuse investigations, DCS officials said, information can become more public if the investigation interferes with a facility's license.

"The department can't release information that talks about the details of reports because that really protects the children, the victims in this, and the privacy of families," Smith-Grossman said. "If it is something that is substantial to their license, that information can be accessed."

The director of the facility, Theresa Maddock tells NewsChannel 18 they will remain open as they look into the claims.

Both the pastor and director denied requests for on-camera interviews.