Mass. Audit Knocks Agency on Child Protection

The Massachusetts auditor says the state's office of Early Education and Care has failed to take sufficient steps to assure sex offenders aren't working at licensed day care centers. 

In a scathing report Wednesday, auditors found 119 cases in which the address of a registered sex offender matched that of a licensed child care facility. 

A subsequent investigation by the EEC found in most cases, children weren't in danger.

 The agency revoked the licenses of four providers who were aware a sex offender lived in the same building but didn't disclose it. 

Acting Early Education Commissioner Tom Weber said the safety of children is his top priority. 

The report from auditor Suzanne Bump also said that, in some cases, the EEC failed to ensure licensed child care providers were performing required criminal background checks on employees. (Associated Press)