TIMES photo illustration
Photograph by: Maple Ridge Times , file
A man facing child sex charges has allegedly been caught in his wife's Maple Ridge daycare, forcing the closure of the seven-child facility.
Fraser Health spokesman Roy Thorpe-Dorward said a parent called last Friday to complain that Edgar Hernandez, 48, had been seen at the Dragonfly Daycare on the 11500-block of Creekside Ridge.
Hernandez is married to Flavia Hernandez, who operates the Dragonfly Daycare from the couple's home.
On May 15, Edgar Hernandez was charged in connection with allegations that a young female was touched inappropriately at the daycare.
No age was provided for the alleged victim.
Thorpe-Dorward said the health authority is responsible for licensing daycares and was first alerted that police were investigating Hernandez on April 11.
At the time, he said, it was decided the daycare could still operate, as long as Edgar Hernandez was not present when children were inside the home.
"The chief component of our health and safety plan was that the husband not be allowed in or be outside the home when children in care are present," Thorpe-Dorward said.
"Last Friday, a parent reported a breach. We investigated and suspended the licence."
Thorpe-Dorward said the suspension will not take effect until May 28, giving parents time to make alternative arrangements.
He said health officials will be making daily unannounced visits to the daycare in the lead up to May 28 to ensure Edgar Hernandez is not present at any time.
Thorpe-Dorward said the health authority's conditions are not related to the conditions that were set when Hernandez was released on bail.
Those conditions are that Hernandez keep away from the alleged victim and her family, that he not be within 300 metres of any residence or place of employment or educational facility where the victim and/ or her family may be, and that he not engage in any activity or employment that will bring him into contact with females under age 16.
