Two Woodbridge Women Charged With Recklessly Endangering Children
Detectives found seven children left strapped into car seats in a residential daycare on Abilene Way.
Woodbridge residents Anila Qayyum and Rabia Qayyum were charged with recklessly endangering children after detectives found seven unsupervised children in a residential daycare on Abilene Way, Prince William County police spokesperson Jonathan Perok said.
Police responded to the daycare after reports that children at the daycare were not being well supervised. Detectives from the Physical Abuse Unit and Child Protective Services arrived at Sept. 11 at 1:59 p.m. and found 21 children, all 4 years old or younger, inside the daycare, with seven infants left in car seats in the home.
"The accused, A. Qayyum, was running an unlicensed daycare out of the residence," Perok said. "There were only two adults caring for the children. The second accused person, R. Qayyum, is a relative of A. Qayyum and was assisting with the children. Seven of the children inside the residence that were less than a year old and were found to be strapped into car seats throughout the residence, including a bathroom and closet."
No children were injured, however, the detectives said they were not properly supervised. The children were released to their parents and guardians, and police executed a search warrant at the house. The investigation is ongoing.
Anila Qayyum, 29, and Rabia Qayyum, 23, were each charged with seven counts of reckless endangerment of a child. Their court date information is unavailable. They are being held on $8,000 secured bonds.
Editor's Note: The above information came from the Prince William County Police Department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned it does not indicate a conviction.
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Joe George
6:23 am on Thursday, September 13, 2012
These parents that left their children at this home should be interviewed at length for putting them at potential harm's way. Understanding that legit daycare rates are CRAZY HIGH, but having so many kids in this home without enough "employees" to watch them puts their child(ren) at risk.
Lauren Jost
8:40 am on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Nicole,
Your comment was removed because it violated our terms of use. Please feel free to repost your comment without profanity.
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Joe George
9:13 am on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Lauren, some of these people's actions get my blood boiling so high, that I have to edit my comments three or four times before I select "Submit". So I understand when someone mistakenly slips up....unless it's a habit.
Rachel M.
10:24 am on Thursday, September 13, 2012
I cant believe this! People like these two make other in home day cares look bad! I totally agree with Joe, no parent should be leaving there child in a home with that many kids and only two aduts to watch them, I would never do that.
Joe George
10:33 am on Thursday, September 13, 2012
BUT, on the flip side, many parents other alternative is to NOT work, collect public assistance, and sit on their couches. Damned if you do and damned if you don't. The "system" has been broken for decades. People collecting welfare are not "encouraged" to get off, either they are extended again and again, or others want to cut them off all together. There is a better way, but neither side wants to do it.
Lauren Jost
10:49 am on Thursday, September 13, 2012
This article has some good tips about protecting your child from abuse or assault at day care: http://woodbridge-va.patch.com/articles/protecting-your-child-from-abuse-or-assault-at-day-care
Rachel M.
10:55 am on Thursday, September 13, 2012
People should ask to walk through the homes before making a choice for that home so they feel comfortable knowing the home is safe and not over crowded. I do home daycare and always encourage parents to take a look around the home so they are comfortable with leaving there child in my care. And if I have more than the parent to Child ratio I bring on more adults or have to turn away children.