A Madison businessman whose licenses to operate child-care centers were revoked by the state has been acquitted of a criminal charge that was one of the reasons for the license revocations.

On May 13, a Dane County jury found Adrian Farrow not guilty of being party to battery. He was charged with the felony in September of 2006 after allegedly taking part in beating a man in the parking lot of a Madison bowling alley.

Farrow, who owned two Small Wonders preschools in the Madison area at the time, maintained his innocence throughout the lengthy legal proceedings, saying he stepped in to break up the fight.

The state Department of Health and Family Services revoked Farrow's operating licenses in late 2006, citing the pending felony charge as one of three reasons.

Licensing officials also said Farrow's centers repeatedly failed to comply with licensing rules, and they said he failed to maintain and provide accurate attendance records for child-care and meal subsidy programs.

Farrow said he's "ecstatic" about the jury verdict but angry about what he's been through.

"I worked very hard for my reputation and my name, and I want that back," he said.

Farrow said that while he has no current desire to own a child-care center, he would like his ability to do so restored. When a license is revoked, the license holder cannot reapply for five years.

Farrow said this is unfair in his case because of his acquittal.

"I want the state to put my name back in good standing," he said, adding that an apology would be appropriate, too.

Eva Robelia, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Health and Family Services, declined to offer an apology. She said the criminal allegation was not the only basis for revocation, noting the licensing violations.

"These failures included, but were not limited to, issues of inadequate supervision, unqualified caregivers, fire safety hazards, physical plant and playground hazards, unsafe transportation practices and lack of thorough background checks of employees," Robelia said.

Farrow said the violations were minor and would not typically be a basis for revoking a center's license.

Robelia said the five-year restriction still applies to Farrow — any application of his would be automatically rejected during that time.

Farrow continues to believe the state's actions against him are personal. "They've never revoked anyone for any of the other violations I've had," he said. "If you remove the criminal charge, it's all frivolous."

The two Small Wonders preschools reopened in December with new owners and are now called New Beginnings preschools.

— Doug Erickson

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