Unregistered Iowa City day care closes

IOWA CITY -- An unregistered Iowa City day care has closed after allegations that a 3-month-old suffered a significant injury at the provider's home day care, according to court documents.

A temporary injunction was filed Jan. 6, to close Tattle Tales Day Care, 1009 Sandusky Dr., in Iowa City, operated by Lisa A. Koplin, after a child abuse report was taken by Iowa City police and the Iowa Department of Human Services.

According to an affidavit filed by DHS on Nov. 22, a mother reported that when she picked up her 3-month-old from the day care, there was blood collecting in her mouth and the child had dried blood on her face, cheeks and clothing.

Koplin had the child bundled and strapped in her car seat when her mother arrived and made no mention of any health concerns, according to the affidavit. The mother couldn't reach Koplin after noticing the blood, so she took her baby to Mercy Iowa City Emergency Care, where the child began vomiting blood.

The child was intubated and monitored in the intensive care unit until Nov. 25, for a laceration to the back of her throat with a blood clot, which doctors said was caused by a traumatic injury "likely caused by someone pushing an object into her mouth," according to the report.

During the investigation, Koplin admitted to police that she had been drinking and taking medication prescribed to her husband after the child was taken home that night, according to the affidavit. Koplin also provided "inconsistent accounts" of the day's events taking place after 2 p.m. Nov. 22, police said.

DHS said Koplin's registration as a child development home was canceled in April after failing to submit renewal information, but she continued to provide care while displaying registration information.

A hearing to consider a permanent injunction of the day care is set for Jan. 24 in Johnson County District Court.