“A Few Minor Violations and Clerical Errors”: Robinson Campaign Downplays Reports of Child Endangerment and NeglectLatest News Year in Review

"A Few Minor Violations and Clerical Errors": Robinson Campaign Downplays Reports of Child Endangerment and Neglect

A shocking new report revealed how a child care center run by Mark Robinson's family repeatedly violated basic safety standards, putting children and babies in harm's way over the course of numerous inspections.

Rather than explain why they found it appropriate to operate a child care facility that state documents show was "unsanitary and endangered children," a Robinson spokesperson issued an unhinged rant that appeared to downplay the seriousness of the charges as "a few minor violations and clerical errors."

Here are some of the findings from the "scathing inspection records" that the Robinson campaign is trying to wave away:

• "the Robinsons failed to cover electrical outlets in a classroom used by one-year-olds in 2005. The inspector wrote that the center operators claimed the outlets had a safety feature that didn't require a cover to keep kids safe, but the inspector found that the outlets had no such feature."
• "1- and 2-year-olds were not being properly supervised while they slept because their caregiver was 'sitting outside on the porch talking to visitors.'"
• "bottles of baby formula weren't properly labeled or refrigerated"
• "the center wasn't following requirements that children have their hands washed after their diapers were changed… 'beds, cots and mats were not in good repair, properly handled, stored, or clean and sanitized between users.'"
• "And in 2007, state regulators received a complaint claiming that Precious Beginnings 'has been using the oven for heating as the gas had been cut off for a period of time. The lights in the daycare have been cut off several times. It is unknown if the daycare has running water at this time.'"

This report comes as Robinson faces mounting scrutiny for squandering tax dollars and violating the public's trust through a family nonprofit which paid him tens of thousands of dollars.

"If Mark Robinson can't even keep kids out of harm's way at his own daycare, he has absolutely no business leading the entire state of North Carolina," said DGA National Press Secretary Devon Cruz. "From pushing his extremist agenda to endangering children and bilking taxpayers, Robinson's record is disqualifying. Absolutely no one is buying his campaign's latest shameless attempt to duck responsibility for making North Carolina less safe for children and families."

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