Brewer, Maine’s Elevate Child Care Closes, Effective Immediately

After a second meeting of the City Council, a Brewer daycare center is now closed.

Brewer, Maine Child Care Facility Investigated Amid Allegations of Abuse

Elevate Child Care has been under scrutiny since an incident in April that involved one of their now-former employees and a 3-year-old child. An altercation caught on video shows the daycare worker lifting the child by his arms and then bringing him forcefully to the floor.

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Blake Sullivan of Carmel, is facing a felony charge of assault on a child under the age of 6, as well as reckless conduct, and endangering the welfare of a child. She is no longer employed by Elevate Child Care.

Brewer, Maine City Council Held a Public Hearing About Elevate Child Care

At the public hearing, several issues in the months following the incident were outlined by Brewer Public Safety Director Chris Martin, Police Sergeant Paul Gauvin, and the victim's family members.

The incident was not immediately reported to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, although the video of said incident was saved by a member of Elevate's management staff. That video typically recycles every five days.

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No one from Elevate Child Care contacted the boy's family to tell them of the incident, nor was he given medical attention. The family learned of the incident when DHHS notified them of the results of their investigation.

When questioned by Councilors, Ms. Grant admitted that she has very little interaction with the children because her religion will not allow her to be vaccinated, but said she serves in more of an administrative position.

Councilors expressed concern when Ms. Grant was unable to tell them how many children are currently enrolled at Elevate Child Care and that she still employs at least one person who should have immediately reported the April incident.

Brewer, Maine City Council Votes to Close Elevate Child Care

After deliberations, the vote was unanimous to deny the appeal of Elevate Child Care, and to revoke the facility's daycare license.

A second public hearing was held on Friday, September 26, 2025, to determine whether the center would be allowed to remain open for a period of 30 to 90 days, to allow parents to make other arrangements.

After a letter from the facility that a key member of their staff had left employment, it was decided that the center would close, effective 11:59 pm on September 26, 2025.