TOPEKA, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued an Emergency Order of Suspension to a day care home at 1912 Simmons in Salina, licensed under the name Christy’s Kiddie Garden.

According to the emergency order, the Salina Police Department, the Department of Children and Family Services, and Saline County Health Department are investigating allegations of a 4-year-old child being injured in the licensee’s day care home. The child sustained bruises to the ear, neck, and inside of the upper lip on or about June 12th. The girl was taken to Salina Regional Health Center for treatment of the bruising, which police say was consistent with strangulation.

The licensee, 51-year-old Christine Knipp, was arrested on a charge of battery on June 16th.

State law allows the Secretary of KDHE to issue such an order when, in the opinion of the Secretary, the order is necessary to protect children in the home from any potential threat to health or safety. The order is subject to appeal. Compliance history on this day care facility can be found by searching the Child Care and Early Education Portal for license No. 500674 at www.kdheks.gov/bcclr/capp.htm.

The full emergency order of suspension can be viewed by clicking here.