Chapter 12 - The licensing problem
Colorado? User did not specify place. Could be United States. Need maybe generic state. We can set suburban Pennsylvania? The prompt says U.S. only. Better choose Columbus, Ohio? But previous story had Ohio. Let's use Westchester County, New York? Expensive Drusilla. But legal details varying. Avoid state-specific statutes. Set outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania maybe. Yet no need. We can simply say "our suburban county" and family court. Fine.
The childcare regulator investigated.
Was Drusilla required to be licensed?
Private occasional babysitting may be exempt.
But regular paid care for multiple unrelated children in her home, advertised, on recurring schedule, could cross licensing thresholds depending local law.
Her pattern:
Nine children.
Regular sessions.
Payment.
Structured service.
Regulator found she had operated beyond exempt occasional care.
Administrative penalties:
Cease operation.
Civil fine.
Future licensing restriction pending review.
No giant criminal sentence for paperwork.
Then insurance.
Her homeowner insurer investigated whether commercial activity voided certain coverage.
No immediate cancellation.
Eventually nonrenewal? Could be. But not central.
Then parents’ civil claims.
Rachel Morris filed.
Josie’s parents considered.
Could there be class action?
No.
Too few.
Different facts.
Rachel sought:
Refund of fees.
Therapy expenses.
Damages for unauthorized confinement.
Drusilla’s insurer denied intentional-confinement portions initially.
Coverage litigation possible.
They mediated.
No need years.
Then my civil options.
Elowen had no lasting physical injury from hose.
Emotional harm?
Therapy.
Could sue.
I chose to reserve claims until criminal/family cases resolved.
May you like
Not because money meaningless.
Because custody/safety first.
