Maple Valley daycare loses its license and is being investigated

A daycare center in Maple Valley is no longer allowed to operate.

The Washington Department of Children, Youth and Families has revoked Discovery Playtown’s license after launching an investigation into child sexual abuse by one of its employees.

The focus of the investigation is employee Joseph Hefner.

Earlier this week, KIRO 7 learned that he is accused of sexually abusing two sisters from 2022 to 2023.

The older sister said they met Hefner at the daycare the younger sister attended.

Hefner had already been convicted of sex crimes against children and remained on the record until 2021, when his record was expunged.

Attorneys handling the case told KIRO 7 that he had a personal relationship with the daycare director and was likely hired for that reason.

PCVA attorney Benjamin Watson sent the following statement to KIRO 7:

“The key questions are how many other children are affected. How could Joseph Hefner, who was apparently convicted of sex crimes against children, work at the daycare and what did the daycare know about Joseph Hefner’s past problems, particularly what did the director and owners know?”

PCVA believes there may be more victims and has confirmed that others have contacted the law firm.

You can do the same if you are a victim yourself or know someone who might be a victim.