26 toddlers found behind false wall at Colorado day care

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Police in Colorado Springs conducting a welfare check at a day care found 26 children behind a false wall in its basement.

Law enforcement officials arrived at Play Mountain Place, a home-operated day care, to find no children inside. They attempted to contact the owner, Carla Faith, but she refused to cooperate, according to KKTV.

A release provided to KKTV says officers heard noises of children and began to investigate:

"During their investigation, officers found a false wall that led to the home's basement. When officers walked down the stairs, they located two adults and 26 kids inside a finished basement, all of who were under the age of three-years-old. Officers immediately began working with (The Colorado Department of Human Services) to release the children back to their parents."

The owner was not arrested, but police told KKTV they are pursuing "appropriate" charges. Three adult workers were initially arrested but the charges were later canceled by detectives pending further investigation, according to KCNC-TV.

A criminal investigation is underway by the Colorado Springs Police Department Crimes Against Children Unit. The Colorado Department of Human Services told KKTV that it is suspending the day care's licensing status.

Cox Media Group