In February, Midwood Learning Academy in east Charlotte had its daycare license suspended by state officials, citing concerns about child safety. The suspension followed an incident where children were photographed piling into a car without proper car seats. A father expressed shock over the unsafe conditions, including children playing unsupervised at a park. Shirley Torrence, one of the daycare’s owners, defended the incident, claiming it was a misunderstanding and stating that staff were cleared of any substance use. Despite apologies to parents, concerns about structural issues within the daycare persisted.
