‘Mommy, I’m hungry’: Single mother of 5 strikes over late paychecks

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Employees of a Middle Tennessee day care did not report to work on Monday. They went on strike citing payroll issues at Franklin Springs Academy in Franklin.

NEWEST COVERAGE: The owner of the troubled daycare has been indicted on federal charges and is accused of using PPP money for personal use

Danielle Hall, a single mother of five children, has worked at Franklin Springs Academy in Franklin for nine months. In that time, she estimates about three delayed payroll payments. Hall is among 19 workers striking Monday over payroll concerns.

Hall said she’s struggling to feed her family. Finances are so tight, Hall said she’s only buying dinner meals at the grocery store since her children get free breakfast at school.

Previous: Day care temporarily closes today as workers strike over paycheck problems, sources say

“So when they ask, ‘Mommy I’m hungry’ in the morning, I tell them, ‘You’ll have to wait ‘till you get to school.’ My food stamps only go so far,” Hall told WSMV 4 News Anchor Amanda Hara.

Hall, who has relied on family for help paying rent and received food assistance from GraceWorks in Franklin, said, “Thank God for my network... It’s been a very emotional rollercoaster.”

Former employees of the now-closed Franklin Springs Academy in Chapel Hill, which was also owned by Rebekah Proctor, reported similar issues.

Liliana Trejo Sabanilla said she received at least eight bad checks during her seven years working at Franklin Springs Academy.

“Checks started bouncing and it was like first come first serve so whoever could make it to the bank first was able to get their money,” Sabanilla said.

State records show Franklin Springs Academy received multiple federal grants worth more than $500,000 in 2023 to help pay for things like employee wagers. It was all part of the American Rescue Plan Act designed to support childcare centers during and after COVID-19.

Sabanilla wasn’t aware of that until WSMV4 told her. She said, “You just let them suffer during that time. Like, that’s not fair that you did that.”

WSMV4 has called and texted Franklin Springs Academy owner Rebekah Proctor to ask about the payroll issues. She hasn’t answered but did respond to workers over text message when confronted about the paychecks.

In at least two text messages she told workers she was planning to sell a horse to come up with the cash.

An email that workers say was sent by Rebekah and Corey Proctor last August said, “The construction delays we’ve experienced for our Franklin location putting us 18 months behind schedule has made things difficult...If you have had check issues please let me know directly with a screenshot or image so I can take care of it after the holiday weekend.”

Hall said late payroll has been compounded by another problem: a drop in enrollment after the owner’s husband, Corey Proctor, was arrested on charges of incest and rape. The District Attorney’s office said the charges involve someone older than 13 but younger than 18. At the time, owner Rebekah Proctor told WSMV4′s Amanda Hara that kids at her daycares were not in danger and that when her husband was released from jail, he would not be allowed near either facility.

However, Hall said Corey Proctor came to the Franklin location after his release and parked in the parking lot.

Franklin Springs Academy closed its Chapel Hill location on Sept. 27, citing a loss of lease as the reason.

Some workers took their complaints to the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development in November. But, the investigation stalled when the filers failed to follow up with more details.

Copyright 2024 WSMV. All rights reserved.