Local Daycare Center Operator Arrested On Drug Charges
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The operator of a daycare center in Homewood is facing a list of charges today after police say drugs and other inappropriate material were found inside the facility.
According to Pittsburgh police, 50-year-old Reanell Booker ran R&B Childcare Services on Rosedale Street in Homewood. She was arrested there Friday morning.
"There's about $6,000 worth of crack cocaine. It was individually packaged for retail sale, or wholesale, depending on what level of sale she was doing," a narcotics officer said. "And there was also over $4,000 in U.S. currency."
Investigators say they believe the state-accredited child care center was an apparent front to push crack cocaine.
Parents who were dropping off their children this morning were stunned and upset.
"This is really scary," said one mother.
"Never thought that they would be doing that with kids and daycare," added another mom.
Narcotics detectives say the children were put at enormous risk.
"It's a danger to any child to be there," said the investigating officer. "Who says if it wasn't us who went there to get this stuff; that if it wasn't somebody there that knew the money, the crack was stored there, they busted in and tried to home invade the place."
Pittsburgh police served the search warrants before any of the children arrived.
In addition to finding drugs, police say they found a significant amount of sexual material as well as pornography stored where the children's toys were kept inside the facility.
Booker is facing numerous drug counts as well as charges of endangering the welfare of children. She is being held in the Allegheny County Jail awaiting arraignment
A sign has been put on the front door of the facility that says "Closed for emergency."
Pittsburgh police say concerned parents of children who attended the facility can contact them at 412-323-7141 to talk about their worries.
For those parents wishing to find suitable daycare service in the area, police say they can contact:
Homewood Brushton Childcare Development
7810 Tioga Street
Pittsburgh, Pa. 15208
412-242-3871
Ask for Kelly or Beverly
The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information on the case is being asked to contact Pittsburgh Bureau of Police at 412-323-7761.
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