BAY CITY, Mich. — A Michigan state investigation has identified multiple child care licensing violations at a program operated by Bangor Township Schools, including concerns involving disciplinary practices and staffing requirements.
The findings are outlined in a special investigation report dated Oct. 12, 2026, from the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential.
The investigation involved the child care program at Bangor Central Elementary, located at 208 State Park Drive in Bay City.
State investigators conducted onsite inspections Sept. 1 and Sept. 14 following complaints involving staff conduct, discipline practices and staffing levels.
According to the state report, investigators reviewed allegations involving the treatment of children by staff members.
The complaints included allegations of inappropriate physical handling of children and other staff interactions.
Some allegations involved incidents reportedly witnessed by parents, including claims that children were grabbed by their arms or treated aggressively.
The report documented these complaints as allegations. State investigators did not establish that child abuse or neglect occurred.
However, investigators did identify violations involving disciplinary practices at the facility.
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According to the report, investigators determined that disciplinary methods used at the program did not consistently meet Michigan’s child care licensing requirements.
The findings included instances in which children were required to lie on cots outside scheduled rest periods as punishment.
Investigators also found that children were prevented from finishing meals as a disciplinary measure.
Michigan child care regulations prohibit withholding meals, snacks, rest or necessary toilet use as punishment.
The state also established a violation involving children being excluded from outdoor play or physical activities as a form of discipline.
State regulations prohibit withholding outdoor play as punishment.
The investigation additionally reviewed allegations involving the separation and restraint of children. The report provided technical assistance regarding supervision and isolation requirements but did not establish a separate violation of the isolation rule.
The investigation also found that the program failed to consistently maintain required staff-to-child ratios.
Under Michigan regulations, child care programs serving school-aged children must maintain a ratio of one staff member for every 18 children, with a maximum group size of 54.
According to the report, staffing shortages occurred at times when children arrived early or employees took breaks.
Investigators determined that these circumstances resulted in the program operating outside required staffing ratios on multiple occasions.
The state established a violation of the applicable staffing requirements.
Following the investigation, Bangor Township Schools submitted a corrective action plan outlining steps intended to address the violations.
According to the report, program administrators issued a verbal reprimand to a staff member Sept. 14 and implemented a safety plan.
Additional employee training was scheduled for Oct. 16, focusing on appropriate disciplinary methods and expectations for working with children.
The program also committed to increased coaching and monitoring of staff practices.
To address staffing concerns, administrators outlined plans to adjust employee schedules, improve communication during staff breaks and limit attendance when necessary to maintain required ratios.
The corrective action plan identified Oct. 12 as the target date for staffing compliance and Oct. 16 for addressing the disciplinary violations.
The report does not establish whether all planned corrective measures have been completed.
Despite identifying multiple violations, the state investigation did not establish that child abuse or neglect occurred or that a licensing violation resulted in serious injury or death.
State officials accepted the corrective action plan and recommended no change to the program’s child care license status.
The facility is licensed for a capacity of 115 children.
The findings are documented in Michigan Special Investigation Report SI-00160115, dated Oct. 12, 2026.
I have reached out to the district for comment and have not yet heard back from anyone.
