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Kids in daycare allegedly locked in shed

SEALY, Texas (UPI) -- A Houston-area couple who operated a home daycare center have been charged with locking several children in a shed to try to hide them from investigators.

Freddie and Marietta Patek, both 65, were arrested after the inspection Wednesday, the Houston Chronicle reported Friday. The inspection was triggered by an anonymous tip the couple had too many children in the home in Sealy.

Gwen Carter, a spokeswoman for Texas Child Protective Services, said the investigators found 14 children ranging in age from babies to about 10 years. The Pateks were supposed to be caring for no more than three.

None of the children suffered any injuries. But those in the shed were shut in with insecticide and gasoline, Carter said.

"It's really, really frightening about what could have happened," she said.

Josh Romo, whose 2-year-old daughter was one of those found in the shed, said he used to wonder why his daughter sometimes rebelled at going to daycare.

"Now we know," he said.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International

This news arrived on: 07/03/2009

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