Bus stop controversy in Middleville

MIDDLEVILLE, Mich. (WOOD) - Three sets of Middleville parents have been leaving their children with a neighbor for a short period of time on school mornings as the kids wait for the school bus. The woman watches the three children free of charge so the parents can leave for work.

But the Michigan Department of Human Services has ordered for the arrangement to stop, saying for it to continue, the neighbor would have to become a licensed daycare facility.

"I think it's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard of, actually," said Lisa Snyder, the neighbor.

She lives at the corner house on Thornbird Drive in Middleville. By default, her corner is the bus stop this year. When Snyder's friends found out the stop was at her house, they found it convenient to drop off their kids before heading to work.

"I'm fortunate to be a stay-at-home mom," Snyder said. "(My friends) have to work, so I'm helping them out. I don't see any injust in that.

Aren't we supposed to all help each other out in this world?"

It was another neighbor who filed the complaint against Snyder and reported the situation to the department.

Snyder was shocked to learn what she was doing is illegal. According to Act 116 of 1973, a childcare facility is any place where children are kept for less than 24 hours for at least two consecutive weeks. Because Snyder isn't licensed, it's illegal for her to have neighborhood kids at her home.

"I am helping two of my friends out," Snyder said. "My friends who are like family. Our kids play together everyday. It's just sad that this is the law, and it needs to be changed."

She found out she was breaking the law after receiving a letter from the department. It warned her to stop what she was doing or face fines and possible jail time.

So, she called the department to try and clear things up.

"I said, 'this is a bus stop.' And they said, 'are these kids coming in?' And I said, 'well, if it rains, yes, I'm not gonna let them stand outside to get wet -- that's ridiculous,' and she said, 'tell their parents to buy an umbrella,' " Snyder said.

State Rep. Brian Calley, R-Portland, calls it an extreme case of government intrusion or maybe "big-mother tactics."

He is working on legislation to ensure parents can make these types of arrangements for their children without having to jump through hoops.

Calley's bill would make Michigan residents who agree to babysit a nondependent child exempt from daycare rules as long as they are not engaged in a child case business.

"My bill basically allows Michigan residents to be good neighbors," he said.