10-05-2025
Lebanon woman faces second charge of maintaining unlicensed childcare facility
LEBANON, Mo. — A woman from Lebanon is facing her second charge of maintaining a childcare facility without a license.
According to online court dockets filed on Friday, May 9, Jennifer L. Jones, born 1977, is accused of operating a childcare facility for children without having a written license granted by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The charge is a Class A misdemeanor.
Jones is a prior offender, as she was convicted of operating a childcare facility for children without a license on May 2, 2024, in Laclede County Circuit Court.
The probable cause statement says on Jan. 15, 2025, DESE received a complaint that Jones was caring for more than six children, which exceeds the law's exception. A DESE investigator visited her home on Jan. 21, 2025, and advised Jones of the statutory requirement to be licensed.
Around that time, Jones was providing care for at least nine children.
A follow-up investigation at her home on Feb. 28, 2025, revealed Jones was providing care for at least six children.
The probable cause statement from her prior conviction says in June of 2023, Jones provided care for at least 16 children at one time.
Jones is due in court on Monday, June 23, for a hearing.
The range of punishment for this offense is a fine not to exceed $2,000 per day up to a maximum of $10,000 for subsequent offenses.
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