SPRING VALLEY, N.Y. — Rockland County officials have closed yet another illegal day care in Spring Valley, this time uncovering more than 120 children crammed into two residential homes in clear violation of fire and safety codes.
Inspectors from the Rockland Office of Buildings & Codes and Spring Valley police descended on 2a and 2b Ridge Avenue on Tuesday after local complaints. They found 15 to 20 children outside, with roughly 100 more inside.
The homes, intended for single families, were being used as an unlicensed day care center. Fire code violations and overcrowding led to the immediate evacuation of the properties.
“This is still under investigation,” said Rockland spokesperson Beth Cefalu, confirming the properties were vacated due to overcrowding.
Inspector Corey Martin described the scene as chaotic. Jackenton Lavalasse, a former Spring Valley official, said conditions were too dangerous for children to remain.
This case follows a disturbing pattern. In April, a day care operating in a former Main Street bank was shut down. The landlord was fined over $30,000 for housing children in a hazardous basement. Just last month, Rockland Child Protective Services removed 80 children from another illegal operation in Clarkstown. That case led to criminal charges and over $50,000 in potential fines.
Since taking control of Spring Valley code enforcement in 2022, Rockland County has issued over 16,000 violations and collected nearly half a million dollars in fines. The county assumed responsibility after the state deemed Spring Valley’s enforcement dangerously inadequate, particularly following the deadly Evergreen Court fire in 2021.
The Rockland District Attorney’s Office is reviewing the latest case. Officials have not disclosed whether charges will be filed.
Mathew Alvarez joined Rockland Daily News as a reporter in March 2020, but he’s no stranger to Rockland County. He grew up in New City and graduated from Ball State’s College of Communication, Information, and Media.
