Mysterious Threats A Reminder For In-Home Daycare Providers To Take Precautions

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — State officials warn keeping your children safe at a daycare in someone's home is not always guaranteed in the wake of mysterious threats made against as Sacramento daycare.

Michael Weston, a spokesman for the Department of Social Services, says operating a home daycare is a risky business.

He warns giving out your address as a home care provider or inviting someone into your home could be inviting trouble.

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Sacramento daycare provider Jessica Haynes told CBS13 someone who appears to be a persistent and brazen child predator has been targeting her business, hoping to exploit her clients' children for child pornography.

The whole incident started out with emails and promises of compensation.

"They were asking for access to children. They were saying we could work together under the table as long as I would provide access to the children," she said.

She immediately contacted police, but the emails kept coming. Without ever meeting face-to-face, the alleged predator described her home and what the children look like.

RELATED: Man Concerned Child Predator Is Using His Name To Solicit Children From Daycare

"It's terrifying too," she said. "I don't know if he's watching me or following me I have no idea."

She believes it possibly started when she got a call from a woman pretending to be a mom. She gave out her address so they could meet—something Weston warns against.

"We don't publish those addresses for that reason," he said.

There are ways to vet potential daycare customers before giving out an address. Weston suggests asking simple questions.

"What is the age of their child? What are the needs that they have? Are there any dietary restrictions? Those are legitimate question a normal parent will be able to answer very easily," he said.

It's not a perfect science, he says; it's more of a gut feeling.

"There's a choice you're making also that person that's coming into your house and you've got to decide whether or not if it's a relationship you're willing to have," he said.