State Moves to Revoke Homer Daycare License After Abuse, Safety Violations

Daycare operator Sarah Wildt faces license revocation following suspension over physical discipline, unsanitary conditions, and improper staffing.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:24pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a dirty, fur-covered child's toy against a stark black background, conceptually representing the unsanitary conditions alleged at the Homer daycare.Disturbing allegations of abuse and unsanitary conditions at a long-running Homer daycare facility have prompted state action to revoke the operator's license.Homer Today

The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) has issued a notice of intent to revoke the license of a Homer, Michigan daycare operator Sarah Wildt after an investigation revealed numerous policy violations, including physical discipline of children, unsanitary conditions, and improper supervision of staff. Wildt's daycare license was suspended on April 3, and she has been ordered to immediately stop providing childcare services.

Why it matters

The case highlights the importance of state oversight and enforcement of childcare regulations to protect the safety and wellbeing of young children. Allegations of physical abuse and unsanitary conditions at a licensed daycare facility raise concerns about the potential for similar issues at other in-home daycares, especially those that may fly under the radar of regulators.

The details

An investigation by MiLEAP revealed several policy violations at Wildt's daycare, including physical discipline of children, unsanitary conditions, and improper supervision of staff. Records show Wildt was in violation of "hit, spank, shake, bite, pinch, or inflicting other forms of corporal punishment" and failed to maintain the home in a clean, safe and comfortable condition, with 20 dogs present and animal waste on the floor. Wildt also allegedly allowed other people, including her boyfriend, to act as unsupervised childcare staff members before background checks were completed.

  • On April 3, 2026, Wildt's daycare license was suspended by MiLEAP.
  • In early April 2026, Child Protective Services (CPS) contacted parent Haleigh Cotter about issues at the daycare.

The players

Sarah Wildt

The operator of the daycare on South Sophia Street in Homer, Michigan, who has run the facility for nearly two decades.

Haleigh Cotter

A parent who had enrolled her three children at Wildt's daycare, and who removed them from the facility after being contacted by CPS about issues there.

Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP)

The state agency responsible for licensing and regulating childcare facilities in Michigan, which suspended Wildt's daycare license and issued a notice of intent to revoke it.

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What they’re saying

“I'm just thinking, okay, well, she hurt your feelings. Then getting the CPS phone call was really the thing that got me. I was like, okay I was wrong and now I need to advocate for my children.”

— Haleigh Cotter, Parent

“Just imagining that somebody could look at my children and think that it is okay to hurt them, just pisses me off.”

— Haleigh Cotter, Parent

What’s next

If Wildt's license is revoked, she could be barred from having a child care license for five years.

The takeaway

This case highlights the critical need for robust state oversight and enforcement of childcare regulations to protect vulnerable children from abuse and unsafe conditions, even at licensed facilities that have operated for years.