LAKE PARK — A South Georgia childcare facility has been closed because a resident has been charged with child molestation, according to a state official.

Dawn Barnhart Family Childcare Learning Home in Echols County has been ordered to close its doors after it was deemed children may be in danger, according to state authorities.

The facility, located at 786 Highway 376, was given an order of intended emergency closure July 6 after Jeremy Barnhart, a resident in the home, was charged with one count of child molestation, Echols County Sheriff Randy Courson said.

Orders for intended emergency closure are issued by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning when it is determined the health, safety or welfare of children may be in imminent danger, said Reg Griffin, chief communications officer with Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning.

Normally, businesses are allowed to remain open during the appeal period; however, Dawn Barnhart Family Childcare Learning was ordered to close immediately, he said.

Dawn Barnhart Family Child Care Learning Home has the right to appeal the order for intended emergency closure within 48 business hours, according to state officials.

The daycare was notified of the closure late Friday afternoon and will not be closed until late Tuesday afternoon, Griffin said. If the facility does appeal the closure, a court date for the case is expected to be scheduled within 48 hours of the appeal.

Jeremy Barnhart has paid his $50,000 bond and has been released, Courson said. However, Barnhart’s release included several stipulations including he cannot interact with anyone younger than the age of 17 and he cannot be within 200 feet of any children.

Barnhart’s case will go to Echols County Superior Court, Courson said. His court date is anticipated to be sometime in February 2019.

Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is responsible for meeting the child-care and early education needs of Georgia’s children and their families.

It administers the nationally recognized Georgia’s Pre-K Program, licenses child-care centers and home-based child care, administers Georgia’s Childcare and Parent Services program, federal nutrition programs and manages voluntary quality enhancement programs.

Parents can connect with child-care resources at www.allgakids.org or by calling the toll-free number 1-877-ALL GA KIDS. Parents will be assisted in locating child-care options. DECAL provides this free service to parents, according to state officials.

“At DECAL, our top priority is the health and safety of our state’s young learners,” Griffin said.