x
Breaking News
More () »

Unlicensed daycare provider who hid 26 kids behind false wall convicted of child abuse

In 2019, authorities found a stairwell leading to a basement with a false wall that held 26 children.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — A jury convicted a Colorado Springs woman on Thursday of nearly 30 charges related to child abuse at an unlicensed daycare facility.

Carla Marie Faith was convicted of 26 counts of misdemeanor child abuse, a felony count of attempting to influence a public servant and another misdemeanor of running a child care facility without a license. 

> The video above is from 2019 when Faith was first arrested.

RELATED: Daycare owner arrested after kids found behind false

The conviction comes more than a year and a half after authorities found a stairwell leading to a basement with a false wall that held 26 children, all under the age of 2, in November 2019. Many of the children had soiled or wet diapers and were sweaty and thirsty, according to the affidavit.

“It's all on behalf of every single one of these people here today," District Attorney Michael Allen said as families of some of the victims stood behind him at the El Paso County Combined Courthouse. "They deserve justice, and I think that this gives them a sense of justice."

Credit: KRDO
Carla Faith

A daycare employee, Christina Swauger, was also convicted by the jury of 26 counts child abuse, one for each child found in the basement.

Although Faith repeatedly told an officer that no children were in her care, the officer could hear children’s music and a child’s cry from the basement at 838 E. Willamette Ave., an arrest affidavit stated. Another officer arrived on scene and discovered a small seam separating a false wall from the actual wall inside the Victorian home. 

> Read more from our partners at the Colorado Springs Gazette.

RELATED: Trial reset for Colorado Springs daycare owner accused of hiding children in basement

SUGGESTED VIDEOSLatest from 9NEWS 

MORE WAYS TO GET 9NEWS 

Subscribe to our daily 9NEWSLETTER for top stories from 9NEWS curated daily just for you. Get content and information right now for can’t-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.   

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP
iTunes: http://on9news.tv/itunes
Google Play: http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n  

HOW TO ADD THE 9NEWS APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE 

ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KUSA. 

For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "9news" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon. 

Before You Leave, Check This Out