Day Care Owner Arrested After Kids Found Behind False Wall: Cops

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — A Colorado Springs day care owner and three workers have been arrested after a six-week child abuse investigation, police announced Thursday. The owner is accused of hiding 26 children behind a false wall at her day care center.

Carla Faith, 58, has been charged with misdemeanor child abuse and attempt to influence a public servant, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department.

Three employees — Christina Swauger, 35, Katelynne Nelson, 31, and Valerie Frequez, 24 — have also been charged with misdemeanor child abuse.

The Colorado Department of Human Services was conducting a child welfare check Nov. 13 at Play Mountain Place after receiving complaints that the center was accepting more children than its license allowed.

Police were called to assist with the search but, when officers arrived, found no children in the center, authorities said. The officers then tried to speak with Faith at her home, which was on the same property as the day care center, police said.

The owner "refused to cooperate" with the officers, but police could hear the sounds of children coming from inside the home, police said. Officers found a false wall that led to the home's basement, where they found two adults and 26 toddlers, according to authorities.

The officers immediately began working with human services employees to ensure the children were returned to their parents. Police said the day care's license was suspended.