Our Michigan child day care lawyers are investigating cases against Happy Elephant Child Care Center in Michigan. Parents of children who attended that daycare center have hired us to pursue civil damage claims against Happy Elephant for their children.
Happy Elephant Child Care Centers is an assumed name for Genesee Christian Day Care Services, Inc. Thomas Case is listed as the organization president. The corporation has several day care centers throughout the State of Michigan.
Rebecca Kenney, the director of the day care facility in Lansing, Michigan, was recently charged with child abuse by the Eaton County Prosecutor’s Office. Allegations include slapping a child and pulling the hair of another child at the facility. Other evidence may arise.
The original charge is Child Abuse-4th Degree, which is a misdemeanor criminal offense in Michigan. She was arraigned on August 2, 2024, and is free on bond.
Ms. Kenney was charged under Michigan Child Abuse Statute is MCL Section 750.136b. Under the statute, child abuse in the fourth degree is a crime punishable as follows:
(a) For a first offense, a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year.
(b) For an offense following a prior conviction, a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 2 years.
She is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Her jury trial is set for May 30, 2025.
Local news outlets have reported that Rebecca Kenney was charged with two separate incidents of abuse, and as of April 18, 2025, she was still working at the daycare facility.
In addition to the criminal charges against Rebecca Kenney, a separate count for violations of MCL 722.112(6) was filed against the organization. This statute applies to Child Care Organizations and specifically defines “physical abuse” as causing harm to a child, including injury or death. The statute outlines the elements that must be proven to establish a violation, and each instance of a child being harmed in a way that meets those elements can be charged as a separate count. The results of a conviction can include licensure penalties, 90 days in jail, and potential fines.