CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — Tonya Casareal stepped out of the Catawba County Courthouse on Friday morning, accused of running an unlicensed day care. As soon as she saw Channel 9 cameras, she turned around and ducked back inside.
She reemerged minutes later, ran to her car and sped out of the parking lot.
A judge granted Casareal a court-appointed attorney on her charges of operating an unlicensed day care at a home on 16th Avenue Northwest in Hickory.
Eyewitness News first reported Wednesday her husband, Crisofor Casareal, is facing more serious charges including indecent liberties and child sex assault.
Police have not said if any of those children were being cared for at the day care.
Crisofor Casareal is in jail on a $200,000 bond.
Read our past coverage: 2 charged after police discover unlicensed day care in Hickory
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