CEDAR SPRINGS, Mich. — The owners of Monkey Run Daycare in Cedar Springs daycare have had their license suspended after violations of the Child Care Organizations Act were found in a state investigation.
According to police, Monday morning, Thomas Cronkright assaulted his wife, pointed a gun at her while she held a 2-year-old child, and threatened her life.
The woman ran with the child, fleeing to a nearby house as a neighbor called 9-1-1. Police say Cronkright left the home, leaving two other 2-year-olds alone at the home daycare.
Cronkright was later found at a nearby family member's home and surrendered to police. He is charged with aggravated domestic assault and assault with a dangerous weapon.
All children were unharmed and returned to their families. The wife was taken to a hospital with facial injuries, but expected to be ok.
An investigation by both the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) and the Child Care Licensing Bureau (CCLB) found the owners were allegedly using drugs at the home, not storing ammunition separately from their firearms and not properly supervising the children in their care.
Thomas Cronkright and his wife own Monkey Run Daycare at 50 Solon Street in Cedar Springs. Their license was first issued in June 2020.
In an interview with Licensing Consultant Rachel Arens, the wife allegedly admitted that they both use methamphetamine, and Thomas uses cocaine. She said they do not use drugs when children are in their care, but that they have closed the daycare in the past due to their drug use.
In addition, documents say the Cronkrights were not properly supervising children at the daycare or acting "in a manner that is conducive to the welfare of children".
The documents allege on Monday, May 1, three children, two 2-year-old girls and a 2-year-old boy, were at the daycare when Thomas got angry with his wife and began physically assaulting her while threatening to kill her. The documents go on to say that Thomas then grabbed a shotgun and pointed it at her, who picked up a child, and he hit her in the head with his elbow.
She fled the home with the child and to a neighbor's house for help. Thomas got into his truck and left the home.
Documents say two children were alone inside the home without supervision at this time.
The wife was taken to a hospital for treatment after police arrived at the home. Thomas was arrested for felony assault and aggravated domestic violence.
The investigation also alleges ammunition was not stored separately from firearms, and that the shotgun was cocked and loaded when Thomas pointed it at the wife and the child.
As of Tuesday, May 2 at 6 p.m., the license to the daycare has been suspended. The full documentation from the LARA and CCLB investigation can be found here.
"Our deputies respond to domestic arguments and domestic assaults every single day in Kent County," said Kent County Sheriff's Office Sargent Eric Brunner, "They are the most volatile situations we face because emotions are high, and we start to argue over stuff, we lose control, because it's between a husband and wife and these things become heated. And unfortunately, now we have children in harm's way. They're involved, and now they have to deal with that trauma being involved in that. And unfortunately, that's something our officers see too much."
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