SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) - A South Bend daycare operator entered a preliminary plea of not guilty on Monday after a video allegedly showed children fighting inside her home.
Tysharae Jones faces three charges, including neglect of a dependent, battery with injury to a person under 14 years and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
The state said that the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning is investigating the incident.
WNDU also found that Jones not only has an active daycare facility under her name, but another registered business seemingly unrelated to childcare: Upfront Tax Services LLC.
WNDU is not sharing the video because of its graphic nature.
“I remember when my kids were that age, and you drop your kids off in the morning so you can go to work, and you just trust that they’re going to be okay,” said Tom Blessing, an attorney with Massillamany Jeter & Carson LLP.
Court documents say an 11-year-old battered a 5 and 6-year-old brother and sister inside Jones’ home in June.
Under Indiana law, all adults must report child abuse or neglect.
Court records show that Jones did nothing to stop the fight. Instead, investigators said she coached one of the children who was fighting.
WNDU looked into her license to work as a caretaker and found an active business license for Heavenly Harmony Hope Ministries under her name, dating back to 2023.
“She also has a duty to exercise reasonable care for those children that are entrusted to her,” Blessing said.
WNDU reached out to the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration to ask whether Jones holds an active childcare license. As of this story’s publication, WNDU is still waiting to confirm that.
When WNDU asked the state state if the daycare’s business registration has been revoked, suspended or placed under emergency administrative hold, they said it’s currently active.
An initial hearing is scheduled for Nov. 5.