State shuts down The Meliora School for Early Learning Dacula daycare over sex abuse allegations

The Meliora School for Early Leaing's Dacula campus remains closed after a court order forced the daycare to shut its doors Wednesday amid allegations of sexual abuse.

Gwinnett Police and the Georgia Department of Early Care and Leaing (DECAL) continue to investigate claims made by a three-year-old child who was enrolled at the school.  Officials have not released the name of the child nor the accused employee.

According to court documents, the child first told his or her parents in February that the staff member said he wanted to show the three-year-old how he "could make milk come out of his pee-pee."  The child's parents did not report the allegation at the time.

The child, however, started protesting about going to the school in early April and the child said he or she did not like what the staff member did when taking the child to the bathroom.  The child described the adult pulling down his pants and seating the child on his lap.  That was when the parents took their conces to the daycare and the police.

Court records show the abuse may not have been limited to just one victim.  Investigators reported of the seven children they interviewed, two others gave "red flags" when asked about bathroom procedures at the daycare.

Both the accused employee and the director overseeing the facility at the time of the alleged abuse have been fired.

The school released a statement Friday, reading:

"The Meliora School for Early Leaing is and has always been dedicated to the safety and wellbeing of all its students. For this reason, we are in complete cooperation with law enforcement and departmental agencies in the investigation of this matter.  We are looking forward to re-opening soon and serving the families that rely on us."

The center is offering free daycare for the displaced children at its Lawrenceville location.  DECAL is also assisting parents who would like to relocate their children.

The Meliora School could be closed for up to 21 days as officials complete their investigation.