An all-day licensure hearing Thursday for K.I.D.S. day care, which had its license suspended last month, was continued until Feb. 15. The hearing will likely be continued to yet a third day.

Outside the hearing building, a group of day care parents, carrying signs "please re-open our daycare" protested being denied entry to the closed hearing.

Kelly's Independent Day Care Service -- known as K.I.D.S. -- was closed by state officials Jan. 11 and had its license suspended following a complaint of alleged abuse or neglect.

The Department of Health and Human Services alleges that a 4-year-old boy was duct taped to the floor as punishment. It also alleges that a second child was also duct taped, and that children were punished by either placing them in high chairs or forcing them to stand in corners.

Day care owner Vicki Kelly denied these allegations during a January IR interview, saying she was requesting an immediate hearing and wanted to re-open her day care.

In January more than 30 day care parents signed a letter supporting Kelly and delivered it to the governor's Citizen Advocate Office, as well as the governor and the director of DPHHS.

Many of them were expected to testify in support of Kelly at the licensure hearing.

They're also helping to organize fundraisers for Kelly to help pay her legal fees. She has retained attorney Dave Gallik to represent her.

Kelly has also been sued by Amie Moran and Doug Baertsch, the parents of the child whose wrist was allegedly duct taped to the floor.

And Kelly faces a separate hearing by Child and Protective Services on the alleged child abuse and neglect charge.

Thursday's hearing officer, Mary Rose Heller, has 90 days to make a decision following the final submission of briefs, according to Jon Ebelt, DPHHS public information officer.

Either party in the licensure hearing can appeal the decision to DPHHS Director Joan Miles or an individual she appoints, Ebelt said. They can also appeal to district court.

The department had no comment to make on Thursday's hearing.

Reporter Marga Lincoln: 447-4074 or marga.lincoln@helenair.com