{"id":60700,"date":"2026-04-02T09:27:29","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T16:27:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=60700"},"modified":"2026-04-02T09:27:49","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T16:27:49","slug":"five-accused-of-allegedly-stealing-511000-from-childcare-expansion-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=60700","title":{"rendered":"Five Accused of Allegedly Stealing $511,000 from Childcare Expansion Program"},"content":{"rendered":"

ST. LOUIS\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"gavel,<\/p>\n

Five people have been indicted in an alleged scheme to steal $511,692 from a Missouri child care expansion program, with some funds used for kickbacks, travel and luxury goods, officials announced this week.<\/span><\/p>\n

LaDonna P. Smith, 43, pleaded not guilty Monday to five counts of wire fraud and two counts of identity theft. Dennis L. Douglas, 40, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to five counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. <\/span><\/p>\n

Deaun A. Flowers, 61, Princess T. Jones, 47, and Toi P. Jones, 65, are each charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of theft of government property.<\/span><\/p>\n

All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to a March 18, 2026, indictment, the defendants exploited a Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education program funded through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act to support new or expanding child care facilities. <\/span><\/p>\n

The scheme ran from August 2021 through February 2023.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prosecutors allege Smith submitted fraudulent applications for \u201cLittle Precious Angels Childcare 2\u201d and \u201cLittle Precious Angels Childcare 3,\u201d obtaining $100,000 and $127,066, respectively. Douglas allegedly received $79,927 through a false application for \u201cAbove and Beyond Playmate Center.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Smith, Flowers and Toi Jones are accused of securing $129,699 for \u201cTotta Tots Daycare,\u201d including a $30,000 kickback to Smith. After the state sought repayment of $100,000 for improper spending, Flowers allegedly wrote a $15,000 check to Toi Jones and $11,000 to herself.<\/span><\/p>\n

Douglas and Princess Jones are accused of obtaining about $75,000 for \u201cChildhood Memories Daycare and Learning Center,\u201d including a $20,000 kickback to Douglas.<\/span><\/p>\n

The indictment alleges the defendants submitted false or altered receipts, invoices and lease agreements to show funds were spent on allowable expenses, including equipment, rent, salaries and renovations. In some cases, documents were fabricated; in others, dates were altered to qualify for reimbursement.<\/span><\/p>\n

Smith and another individual also allegedly attempted to obtain an additional $125,000 for \u201cBright Star Academy,\u201d according to the indictment.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

ST. LOUIS\u00a0 Five people have been indicted in an alleged scheme to steal $511,692 from a Missouri child care expansion program, with some funds used for kickbacks, travel and luxury goods, officials…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":56038,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-60700","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nFive Accused of Allegedly Stealing $511,000 from Childcare Expansion Program<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"ST. 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