MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Tennessee Department of Human Services confirmed the day care facility where a 1-year-old died Monday is not licensed with the State of Tennessee.
The Department of Children’s Services Special Investigation Unit is exploring the circumstances of the child’s death, but that information is not yet available.
According to Shelby County records, the day care goes by Miss Pam S. Day Home and is located in the 5500 block of Crestview Drive. DHS confirmed Ms. Pam’s Family Day Care Home was previously licensed by the state from 1992 to 2007.
There are specific state regulations about child care licensure. Family child care homes provide care for at least five but not more than seven unrelated children.
Some child care facilities do not need licenses, like when care is provided in a child’s own home, if a program operates less than three hours a day, or if programs care for less than five unrelated kids.
Memphis Police believe Miss Pam S. Day Home cared for up to 14 children at a time.
Shelby County records show the property belongs to James and Pamela Barkley. Neighbors said the couple uses the house for the daycare, but they actually live at a home in Lakeland. No one answered the door at either address Tuesday.
Pamela Barkley’s sister didn’t want to be identified but told WREG her sister has been teaching for more than 30 years, and children are safe in her care. She said Barkley interacts well with parents about what the children eat and do.
Barkley’s sister told WREG she believes the daycare facility is licensed, and said the entire family is devastated by the loss of the 1-year-old.
“We’re praying for the family, we’re praying for Pam, because these children are like her own children and she just, she loves them so dearly,” she said.
A parent of one of the children at the daycare did not want to be interviewed, but said she trusts the Barkleys.
WREG checked the Barkley’s backgrounds. James Barkley had a traffic citation in 2010, and Pamela Barkley had a citation for a bad check in 1983, but the case is disposed.