Tulsa Woman Released After Plea In Child Neglect Case

A Tulsa woman pleaded no contest to child neglect and two counts of running a daycare without a license Monday. The woman's name is Chelsea Day, and she was running a daycare in her home.

A judge dismissed Day's $50,000 bond and released her on her own recognizance until her sentencing in March. She left the court crying tears of joy and hugging a friend, despite just admitting to a judge that there's enough evidence against her to find her guilty of three felonies.

The story started four years ago when Day was running Mother's Love Babysitting out of her home. The parents of an 18-month-old girl named Olyvia say Day called them and said their daughter had an allergic reaction. They say she was covered in scratches, bruises, had lumps on her head and a black eye.

10/2/2014 Related Story: Former Oklahoma Family Frustrated Over Postponements Of Child Neglect Case

The police investigation revealed Day was not licensed through DHS to run a daycare but continued, during the initial investigation, and refused to cooperate with the police and Department of Human Services investigations.

Police couldn't determine who hurt Olyvia so prosecutors charged Day because she was ultimately responsible as the daycare operator.

The case has been postponed at least 12 times since 2012 for different reasons.

The DA didn't offer Day a plea deal, so rather than let a jury decide, she pleaded no contest and will let a judge decide her sentence.

Olyvia's family has been very frustrated the case has taken this long but are glad Day will be found guilty and sentenced.

They said, "We are very frustrated about today's events. We have been waiting for three years. For her to be free on a PR bond is very upsetting and doesn't seem right. We are really hoping the judge realizes at sentencing that although Olyvia has finally healed from her injuries, it shouldn't have to take something more severe to happen to a child for Chelsea to get the punishment she deserves."

The judge will decide Day's sentence on March 21st.

Day and her attorney declined to be interviewed.