A recent case out of Atlanta has sparked concern and scrutiny over the hiring practices of a local childcare center—and serves as a sobering reminder of why rigorous background checks are not just recommended, but essential.
According to an investigative report by 11Alive News, a woman seeking employment at Angel’s Paradise Higher Learning Academy in Atlanta’s West End was hired on the spot and immediately placed alone with infants and toddlers—without undergoing a criminal background check, fingerprinting, or even presenting valid identification.
“They trusted me without any documentation,” the woman told reporters. “I could be a rapist, I could be a killer, I could be on drugs. They would not know.”
This is not just alarming—it’s dangerous.
The Risks of Skipping Background Checks
Placing unvetted individuals in positions of trust, particularly around children, is a catastrophic liability. In the case of this Atlanta day care, the consequences could have been devastating. Infants—unable to speak, crawl, or protect themselves—were left in the care of someone whose criminal history, identity, and qualifications were entirely unknown.
For employers in sensitive industries like childcare, elder care, education, healthcare, and beyond, skipping or delaying background screening can expose organizations to:
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Legal liabilities from negligent hiring practices
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Regulatory fines and penalties from oversight agencies
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Irreparable brand damage and loss of community trust
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Safety risks to clients, children, and other staff members
Regulatory Oversight Is Not Enough
The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) has launched an investigation into the incident and classified it as a “Category 3 Complaint,” committing to a 10-day resolution period. However, relying solely on inspections or post-incident investigations is a reactive approach.
A proactive strategy, anchored in consistent, comprehensive pre-employment screening, is the only way to ensure safe hiring practices from day one.
What Should Have Happened?
At a minimum, before allowing any new hire—especially one in contact with vulnerable populations—to begin work, the employer should have:
✅ Verified government-issued identification
✅ Conducted a national criminal background check
✅ Cross-checked against sex offender registries
✅ Completed fingerprint-based screening
✅ Verified employment history and references
✅ Ensured compliance with state and federal childcare regulations
This is standard protocol for clients of U.S. Background Screening.
U.S. Background Screening: Your Partner in Protection
At U.S. Background Screening, we specialize in fast, accurate, and fully compliant pre-employment screening solutions for organizations of all sizes. Our services are used across industries—but especially by those who recognize that safety isn’t optional.
What sets us apart?
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U.S.-based, real-time support – No offshore call centers. You’ll always speak with a dedicated client representative who knows your business.
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Lightning-fast turnaround – Our technology allows most checks to be completed within 24–48 hours.
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Full compliance – We stay up to date with all federal and state requirements, ensuring your business stays protected from legal risk.
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Easy-to-use online platform – Order, track, and manage reports in just a few clicks.
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Custom packages – Whether you’re hiring seasonal staff or permanent caregivers, we tailor your background check packages to your needs.
Don’t Let This Happen to You
If a facility had vetted this employee properly, they would have known who they were hiring before putting infants at risk. Let this Atlanta incident be a cautionary tale: the cost of not conducting a background check is far greater than the time and investment it takes to do it right.
Protect your people, your reputation, and your future.
Contact U.S. Background Screening today at www.usbscorp.net or call us directly to schedule a free consultation and policy review.
If you’re unsure whether your current hiring practices are compliant, reach out for a complimentary risk assessment. Let U.S. Background Screening be your first line of defense.
