Forsyth daycare appeals license revocation after serious violations

Caring for Kids Daycare faces permanent closure after DECAL cites medication misuse and child endangerment; appeal hearing pending.

April 15, 2025

Fiona King,

FORSYTH, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Forsyth Methodist Church’s Caring for Kids Daycare is filing an appeal against the license revocation issued by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL).

In a letter sent to DECAL on Friday, Pastor Richard Jelley, on behalf of the Forsyth Methodist Church and the Caring for Kids board, wrote:

“In response to your Notice of Revocation, we are writing to appeal your decision. We would like the opportunity to address and correct the rule violations that were identified.”

The daycare is facing permanent closure, pending the outcome of the appeal, following the revocation of its license by DECAL.

The decision follows a formal investigation that revealed serious violations, which DECAL says endangered the physical and mental well-being of children at the facility.

According to DECAL, the daycare committed four major rule violations, one of which states:

“Requires personnel to obtain specific written authorization from the child’s physician or parent in order to dispense prescription or non-prescription medications except for first aid.”

Investigators found that on March 3, a staff member gave over-the-counter Benadryl to two 2-year-old children. Then, on March 5, the investigation showed medication was given to three more 2-year-olds without documenting the administration, as required.

The investigation led to the arrests of three staff members: Cathy Stevick (Daycare Director): Three counts of failure to report child abuse (misdemeanor); Shelby Webb (Teacher): One count of simple battery (misdemeanor) and one count of cruelty to children in the first degree (felony); and, Kendasja Hughley (Teacher): Six counts of cruelty to children in the first degree (felony), eight counts of simple battery (misdemeanor) and two counts of reckless conduct (misdemeanor). All three are currently out on bond and are expected to appear before a grand jury in the coming months.

DECAL says a judge has not yet set a date for the license revocation appeal hearing.

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