Troubled Chester daycare cited for false advertising after changing signs
VENN
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A Chesterfield County daycare that's been under significant scrutiny since a toddler wandered from the facility in February posted signs listing a new name and phone number. The state has since cited it twice for false advertising.
In late July, the facility's owner entered into an agreement with the state to officially forfeit her religious exemption to operate on Aug. 31. However, she may still have a path forward if she wants to continue operating -- and an advertisement currently live on the facility's Facebook suggests she does.
Child leaves facility unnoticed, walks into traffic in February
Fortress of God Childcare -- or "Serenity Faith Academy," as advertised on some signs 8News photographed in May -- initially came under fire on Feb. 21 when a 3-year-old was found in the street near the facility.
The child had wandered from the facility and onto West Hundred Road. A bus driver stopped in the roadway to allow other drivers to rescue the child, who was thankfully unhurt.
The Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS) later determined that the 17-year-old staff member responsible for the child had not realized they had disappeared.
No charges were filed against the daycare’s owner, Monique Ede.
Religious exemption revoked in April due to repeat violations
The daycare facility then received increased attention from the state in the wake of this incident.
Dozens of often-repeated violations had been identified by investigators since as early as January 2024. Many of these violations were related to the safety of the children under the facility's care.
Altogether, these factors moved the state to revoke Fortress of God Childcare's religious exemption. A religious exemption allows a facility to operate without a traditional license -- and, subsequently, without following the same regulations that a non-exempt facility would.
The order to revoke Fortress of God Childcare's religious exemption was issued on April 22. However, three days later, on April 25, DSS inspectors discovered nearly 30 children being cared for at the daycare by seven staff members.
The inspectors also noted that multiple of these repeat violations -- some marked as "systemic" -- were present at the facility during said April visit.
Advertising changes prompt state investigation in May
8News visited the facility on May 9 and found that all of Fortress of God Childcare’s signs had either been replaced or boarded up. New signs advertised “Serenity Faith Academy Early Childhood Education,” with a different phone number listed.
Fortress of God Childcare's sign as seen in March [left], replaced at some point by a new "Serenity Faith Academy" sign [right], as seen in May. (Photos: Brad Vassar, Eric Philips/8News)
8News also obtained state business records for Serenity Faith Academy, which revealed it had been registered as a business by Ede on March 18, listed as operating at the same address as Fortress of God Childcare. As of the time of reporting, no DSS registration exists for a childcare facility under the name of "Serenity Faith Academy."
8News reached out to Ede about both her efforts to appeal the state's decision, as well as this advertising change, at the time. She responded by saying, in part, “I no longer want to deal with you.”
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) opened an investigation into the facility soon after.
False advertisement violations issued in June and July
Online DSS records indicate that Fortress of God Childcare was inspected and found to be in violation on June 25 and July 24. Both of these violations had to do with "untrue, deceptive or misleading" statements made by the facility.
On Wednesday, June 25, DSS inspectors came to Fortress of God Childcare unannounced for a visit. According to the agency, these inspectors were "denied entry" for nearly an hour.
The DSS said the facility violated standards due to its change in signage, as "no child day program shall make, publish, disseminate, circulate, or place before the public an advertisement of any sort regarding services or anything so offered to the public that is untrue, deceptive, or misleading."
On Thursday, July 24, inspectors returned after the licensing office was informed of another instance of false advertising. According to the DSS, on that same day, Fortress of God Childcare posted on Facebook that it would be reopening in early December.
The facility also reportedly stated that it was "state licensed, warm and faith-filled, providing a nurturing and educational environment for your little ones to grow and thrive." Fortress of God Childcare does not have a state license to operate as a daycare facility -- only its religious exemption.
DSS reports that the facility "removed" its Facebook post in response to this violation.
As of the time of reporting, a post which says enrollment is open for care "starting [in] December" -- which is dated July 24, the same day as the inspection -- remains on Fortress of God International's Facebook page.
Ede agrees to forfeit religious license -- but could still reapply
In late July, Ede entered into a consent agreement with the state. This agreement includes a "cease operation date" of Sunday, Aug. 31, as a result of "high-risk violations," per the DSS.
"After [Aug. 31,] an exemption must be approved or a license must be issued before the child day program can legally operate," the DSS said -- implying that Ede could pursue either of those options.
This is a developing story, stay with 8News for updates.
