--Arrest is based on a report to DOI from DOHMH--
Margaret Garnett, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”),
announced the arrest today of a day care provider applicant charged with submitting a forged document
to the City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (“DOHMH”) that misrepresented her training
qualifications. DOHMH regulates the operation of child care establishments in New York City. The forged
document was submitted with the defendant’s online application to operate a Group Family Day Care
establishment in Manhattan. The application was denied. DOI began this investigation after DOHMH
reported to DOI the defendant’s training certificate contained a discrepancy. The office of New York
County District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., is prosecuting this case.
STEPHANIE GUZMAN, 34, of New York, N.Y., is charged with Forgery in the Second Degree, a
class D Felony, and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E Felony. Upon
conviction, a class D felony is punishable by up to seven years in prison and a class E felony is
punishable by up to four years.
DOI Commissioner Margaret Garnett said, “Parents place their faith in child care operators to
care for and protect their children and that means documents submitted to the City supporting the
operation of these establishments must be truthful and accurate. Fortunately, DOHMH identified a
discrepancy associated with this individual’s application and reported it to DOI, preventing an unqualified
provider from opening her doors. There is no tolerance for cutting corners when it comes to our children’s
health and safety. I thank DOHMH for their partnership on this investigation.”
According to the criminal complaint and DOI’s investigation, in October 2018 GUZMAN submitted
to DOHMH an application to become a Group Family Day Care provider. Attached to that application was
an applicant compliance agreement stating that the defendant had not forged or altered any documents
submitted as part of the application and that the submission of forged or altered application documents
may be a felony or misdemeanor. As part of this application, GUZMAN was required by New York State
to take a 15-hour Health and Safety Training course and to provide a valid certificate of completion to
DOHMH. This training covers topics such as safety and security procedures, as well as child abuse and
maltreatment identification and prevention. The investigation determined that GUZMAN’S Health and
Safety training certificate was fraudulent because it relied on an outdated template and there was no
record of the defendant receiving training. As a result of this discrepancy, GUZMAN’S application was
denied and the matter was referred to DOI for further investigation. DOI’s findings confirmed the entire
training certificate was fraudulent and the defendant had never been properly trained.
Commissioner Garnett thanked DOHMH Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot and her staff for their
assistance and partnership in this investigation. Commissioner Garnett also thanked New York County
District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. and his staff for their prosecution of this matter.
A criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
