Podcast Summary: Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey – Ep 1183 | KinderCare Cover-Up: New Report Reveals Abuse, Corruption

Release Date: May 5, 2025
Host: Blaze Podcast Network
Guest: Edwin Dorsey

Introduction

In Episode 1183 of Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey, host Allie Beth Stuckey delves into the alarming revelations surrounding KinderCare, the largest daycare provider in the United States. Joining her is investigative reporter Edwin Dorsey, who shares his extensive research uncovering systemic abuse and corruption within KinderCare’s operations.

Edwin Dorsey's Background and Motivation

Edwin Dorsey introduces himself as the writer behind "The Bear Cave," a newsletter dedicated to exposing corporate misconduct. His journey into investigative journalism began with a passion for the stock market and evolved into uncovering malpractices in companies impacting consumers and, notably, children.

Edwin Dorsey [01:35]: "I started this newsletter mainly as a way to get a job. But it got really popular very fast in the pandemic, quickly became a full-time income and it's been what I've been doing for the last five years."

KinderCare's Abuse and Corruption

KinderCare operates over 1,000 daycare centers across 41 states. Dorsey’s investigation revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse, including:

• Child Safety Issues: Reports of children escaping daycare facilities, being locked in rooms unsupervised, and, shockingly, instances of drug ingestion by children due to negligent staff behavior.

  Edwin Dorsey [05:39]: "Kids were overdosing on drugs brought by the staff. There was just tons of these, you know, local news stories across the board of Kindercare, mistreating the kids they're watching."

• Negligence and Abuse: Cases where daycare staff physically abused children, including threats and actual physical harm.

  Edwin Dorsey [08:08]: "I wish I didn't send him to Kindercare that day."

• Lack of Transparency: KinderCare consistently failed to inform parents about incidents, leaving them unaware of their children’s well-being.

  Edwin Dorsey [09:20]: "In every single case, the parents are like, I didn't know what happened. Kindercare didn't tell me, but I found out from someone else."

Taxpayer Funding and Corporate Strategies

A significant portion of KinderCare’s revenue—approximately 35%—comes from the Child Care Development Block Grant, a federal program subsidizing childcare for working families. Dorsey critiques how these funds are misused to sustain a corporate model that prioritizes profits over child safety.

• Corporate Misconduct: KinderCare’s strategies include low employee wages, leading to high turnover and inadequate supervision.

  Edwin Dorsey [15:33]: "These people are paid low. They're paid lower than anyone else in the industry. And there's significant turnover."

• Regulatory Capture: The company’s substantial influence allows it to navigate and manipulate regulatory frameworks effectively, often avoiding permanent shutdowns despite numerous violations.

  Edwin Dorsey [11:09]: "Kindercare will be really good at the appeal process and how the best lawyers fight back. It's something you see on Reddit threads where Kindercare employees talk about being very good at just roping everything together properly right before licensing and inspections."

Comparisons with Other Platforms: Care.com and Roblox

Dorsey draws parallels between KinderCare’s systemic issues and those he uncovered in Care.com and Roblox, emphasizing a broader pattern of negligence in platforms impacting child safety.

Care.com

Care.com, a babysitting platform, failed to conduct proper background checks, allowing individuals with criminal histories to pose as trustworthy caregivers. Dorsey’s investigation exposed numerous cases where background checks were either inadequately performed or entirely bypassed.

Edwin Dorsey [36:58]: "Care.com is a huge babysitting platform... they claim to be running background checks, but I had a friend who was approved without proper vetting."

Roblox

Roblox, a popular online gaming platform for children, was identified as a hotspot for predators due to its open messaging system and lack of stringent verification processes. Dorsey highlighted the ease with which malicious actors can exploit the platform to target young users.

Edwin Dorsey [43:39]: "Roblox is the absolute worst. It's the best way for sex offenders and abusers to meet kids just across the board."

Challenges in Media Reporting

Despite the severity of the issues uncovered, Dorsey points out a glaring lack of mainstream media attention. He attributes this to media groupthink, preference for sensational stories, and the extensive effort required for in-depth investigative reporting.

Edwin Dorsey [41:40]: "It's very relevant. It's national, it's happening nationwide, involves taxpayer funds. And we haven't seen a single national paper write about this, even though it's been going on for a while."

Conclusion and Call to Action

Allie Beth Stuckey and Edwin Dorsey emphasize the urgent need for awareness and action. They advocate for:

• Increased Scrutiny: Parents and guardians should be vigilant in selecting daycare providers and online platforms for their children.
• Regulatory Reform: There is a critical need to overhaul how childcare subsidies are allocated and monitored to ensure child safety is prioritized.
• Independent Journalism Support: Supporting independent journalists who uncover such systemic issues is vital for driving societal change.

Allie Stuckey [43:39]: "We as parents need to know about it. Don't just listen to and watch the entirety of this episode. Share it with every parent, every grandparent, every caretaker that you know."

Notable Quotes

• Edwin Dorsey [05:39]: "Kids were overdosing on drugs brought by the staff... mistreating the kids they're watching."
• Edwin Dorsey [11:09]: "Regulators also aren't doing their jobs."
• Edwin Dorsey [17:55]: "Kindercare is constantly out of ratio, it's like tough to hire people in any environment."
• Edwin Dorsey [25:40]: "Kindercare is surely against the law offering discounts and subsidies to people just to post positive reviews."
• Edwin Dorsey [43:39]: "Roblox is a ton of these issues... kids being manipulated by these older adults and like being kidnapped."

Final Thoughts

Episode 1183 serves as a critical exposé on KinderCare’s systemic failures and the broader implications for child safety in both physical and digital environments. Edwin Dorsey’s investigative work sheds light on the urgent need for accountability, regulation, and informed decision-making to protect vulnerable children across the nation.

For more in-depth reports and ongoing investigations into corporate misconduct, subscribe to Edwin Dorsey's "The Bear Cave" newsletter through his Substack.