The agency's files are replete with cases where the agency uncovered incidents of abuse, neglect and hazardous conditions at day-care operations, but took no disciplinary action. The failure represents a breach of trust with parents, who rely on the state to regulate day-care providers and keep their children safe. The difference between 'licensed' and registered' DHS officials claimed ignorance when trying to explain how the state handled Watts' day-care home. Many of the people involved in the case no longer work for day-care licensing, Chaplin said. However, Chaplin blames some of the state's inaction on the type of permit Watts has to run a day-care home.
Maine currently has a two-tiered system of ''registered'' and ''licensed'' homes.
Licensed homes must be inspected annually and comply with a book of regulations. Registered homes are not inspected and have virtually no rules to meet. Watts runs a registered home. One child was upstairs screaming to get out of his playpen,'' the complaint stated. The woman also said the house was dirty.