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Couple Faces Drug Charges After Day Care Raided

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HOPE MILLS, N.C. — Two people are charged with running a drug operation out of a day-care center.

Investigators say the couple owned and operated Miss Jennifer's Sweet Home Lullabies. An investigation started three months ago and ended Tuesday with narcotics officers finding three ounces of crack cocaine in a toilet at what is supposed to be a home day care.

Windy Pines is a neighborhood full of children. That's why news that the local day care was more than just a day care is even more upsetting to neighbor James Jackson.

"[It's] definitely worries me for the children," said Jackson.

Jackson said that there was nothing unusual about the day care. The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office found the opposite. Deputies dressed in SWAT gear raided the facility, saying the owner, Jennifer Caesar, along with her partner, Tony McGougan, were selling crack cocaine while children were in their care.

"She never sold crack cocaine," said Jennifer Caesar's son, Nick Cesar. "She has no ties with it."

Nick Caesar, who lives inside the home, said the daycare isn't even fully operating at present.

"There were not children that come here to a daycare," he said.

Nick Caesar defended his mother as a caring woman who has provided him and his four siblings a good home.

"(She's a) very well educated person who has high standards," he said.

And he contended he's every bit as shocked as the neighbors.

"We didn't know anything like this was out here, and I'm a little upset this is happening," said neighbor Debra Melchoir.

The couple faces various drug charges, including trafficking crack cocaine. McGougan's bond has been set at $550,000 while Caesar's bond is set at $100,000.

No children were inside during Thursday's raid. As for the Caesar's biological children, they are in the custody of Social Services. The day care was not licensed by the state, however, it is still unclear if enough children attended to force it register.

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