Charge dismissed against former daycare director

MOSES LAKE - An assault charge was dismissed against a former Moses Lake daycare director accused of assaulting her children following an incident in May.

Lewis, 46, pled not guilty in September to one count of fourth-degree assault. Prosecutors decided to dismiss the charge if Lewis does not have additional problems in the next nine months, according to court records.

Her attorney, John McKean of Moses Lake, said this was the outcome appropriate in this case and viewed the allegations as untrue, pointing out the fact that an investigation by the state Department of Social and Health Services determined the accusations were unfounded.

A charge of fourth-degree assault was also dismissed against Lewis' husband, Kurt Lewis, 46.

"They have some real challenges raising a couple of those boys," McKean said. "I have nothing but good words to say about them and what they're trying to do, but tough."

Kelly Lewis, the former director of the Children of Grace Daycare and Preschool, which has now closed its doors, was accused of hitting her sons on May 27, grabbing them by the neck and causing one of them to bleed, according to police reports. A witness told officers she hit two of her children 15 to 25 times.

The alleged incident occurred after Lewis' children started a fire and one of her sons tried to run away.

Both Kelly and Kurt Lewis initially denied the allegations, telling officers two of her sons were fighting earlier in the day, explaining the marks on their neck and face, according to the report.

Kelly Lewis later admitted to grabbing one of the child's chin and slapping him once with an open hand.

Lewis was disqualified by the Department of Early Learning for five years from providing licensed child care in the state, according to a previous report from the Columbia Basin Herald.