Hearing continued after judge removes self from case alleging child abuse at day care center

A Carson City judge removed himself from a case involving abuse charges against a former day-care owner.

District Judge Michael Griffin did not give a reason for recusing himself Monday during what would have been a District Court arraignment of Norma Childers on five charges of child abuse, neglect or endangerment stemming from allegations she placed tape over the mouths of three children and locked others in a utility closet in her care at Sugar N Spice Day Care.

The center was closed April 14 by the health department because Childers allegedly misrepresented information on the application for a license.

The criminal complaint alleges Childers taped shut the mouths of a 3-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy before they were put down for a nap on Aug. 19.

The allegations came about after an employee at the facility reported the incident to the Carson City Health Department.

The employee, who said she'd worked at the center since July 2004, reportedly told investigators she witnessed Childers place purple tape over the children's mouths when Childers became upset over noise they were making.

No new court date has been set.