Delaware day care owner trafficked drugs out of business: cops

A Delaware day care owner and her lackey were busted for running a drug-trafficking operation out of the home-based playschool, officials announced Thursday.

Jessica Cooper, 29, and Cameron Christmas, 33, were taken into custody on a slew of drug and firearm charges after narcotics investigators descended on The Little Peoples LFCC 2 just after noon Wednesday — while the day care side of their business was open for the day.

Inside the disguised drug den, cops found 93 grams of cocaine, 26 grams of crack, 302 bags of heroin, two handguns and more than $32,000.

“Four children were in the day care at the time of the search warrant,” the Dover Police Department said.

Cooper — listed as the day care’s owner — and Christmas are both charged with drug possession, possession of drugs with intent to deliver, possession of a firearm or ammunition by a person prohibited, child endangerment, conspiracy and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Christmas was being held in custody with cash bail set at more than $93,000. Cooper was in custody with a secured bond set at $49,700.

The pair have seemingly been in cahoots for several years and have both clocked in prior run-ins with the law, records show.

Cooper paid for Christmas’ $450 bail in 2021 after he was picked up on a warrant for failing to appear in court on a charge of leaving the scene of an accident, according to court records. He was later issued another warrant for failing to show up to trial.

Christmas has two prior arrests for drug charges, the most recent of which he was ordered to pay a fine and court costs after pleading guilty to in 2022.

Court records show he violated a zero-tolerance policy for drugs, failed to attend meetings and show up for hearings, and did not complete homework assignments after being allowed to enter into a diversion program for his 2018 drug arrest.

Meanwhile, Cooper was charged in 2020 with hindering prosecution, though the charge was later dropped.

It is not clear what led to a search of the day care, but Christmas has several drug arrests on his rap sheet and The Little Peoples LFCC 2 landed itself in hot water after its September inspection.

The school — which is billed on child care webpages as a home day care that “fosters the development of social skills in a safe, caring environment” — was cited for noncompliance with regulations regarding communicating with parents, outdoor areas and keeping children’s files.

Cooper is listed as the registered agent of The Little Peoples LFCC 2 and the co-owner of the residential property. Her partner, who was not arrested, is also a registered agent.

The business accommodates children between the ages of 1 to 12 years of age.

The Little Peoples LFCC 2 received several slaps on the wrist during its September 2023 inspection, when it was cited for noncompliance for having poor communication with parents, having gates that did not properly latch and failing to keep children’s files in order.

Inspectors found that two children needed blood lead screening results, and one needed a health appraisal and immunization record.

With Post wires