Mother demands justice after Black toddler faces racist abuse at Okemos daycare

Lansing Mother Speaks Out After Alarming Discovery at Tinkrlab

Lansing mother Kendra Smith is seeking justice after discovering that her 18-month-old daughter, Braelynn, was the subject of racist treatment at a local daycare center. The disturbing revelation came in February 2023. That’s when Child Protective Services (CPS) contacted Smith to inform her that a report had been filed by staff at Tinkrlab, the Okemos-based daycare where her child was enrolled. Now, this mother has alerted the media.

“That was really hard to handle as a parent,” Smith said. “You don’t ever want to have to deal with your child.”

Disturbing Allegations Surface

According to the initial report, one daycare provider allegedly made a racist remark stating that Braelynn “stinks because she’s Black” and attributed it to the “Black products used in her hair.” But that wasn’t the only offensive conduct outlined in the report. Another staffer reportedly refused to feed or hold the toddler and even wiped her hand after coming into contact with Braelynn.

All of this led to the mother speaking out. Understandably, this would upset any parent. However, in the case of this woman, she took action. Now, the daycare is under scrutiny. Kendra Smith is ensuring her story is being told. As a result, she spoke to the media.

“She was also the one that made a comment about, ‘Well she probably stinks because Black people use cooking grease in their hair,’” Smith recalled. “CPS had a portion of the case that they investigated because there were points of neglect—Braelynn not being fed, provider not wanting to change her.”

Comments such as those would alarm any parent.

CPS and State Reports Confirm Neglect and Racism

Smith initially believed CPS would handle the matter thoroughly and in a timely manner. However, when follow-ups were ignored, she filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to access the case records. The result was a 20-page report containing detailed findings from multiple visits by CPS investigators.

Despite some redactions, the report confirmed many of the accusations. CPS found that Tinkrlab had indeed engaged in behavior that warranted disciplinary action. The daycare was issued a provisional license and mandated to participate in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training for staff. Now, despite all of the efforts to find a solution, the situation is now irrevocably out of control.

Because she was unable to find a solution, Smith made the decision to escalate.

Shocking Comments From Daycare Director Revealed

One of the most jarring aspects of the report involved not only the unnamed staffers but also the reaction of Tinkrlab’s daycare director, Madison Sorenson. When staff informed her that racist comments were being made in the presence of children, Sorenson allegedly replied, “Well, Black people owned white people as slaves before, so I guess it’s okay.”

This comment, cited directly in the report, raised further concerns about the environment fostered by leadership at the facility. With racist comments allegedly being made, on top of the alleged neglect, Kendra Smith decided to take action.

Owner Issues Public Statement Amid Fallout

Melissa Rabideau, the owner of Tinkrlab, has yet to respond to media inquiries via email or phone. However, she did release a statement on Tinkrlab’s official Facebook page.

“I regret the way the entire situation was handled,” Rabideau wrote. “I have learned so much, put so many protocols in place, so many policies and accountabilities to ensure there is no question of our standards and expectations.” Rabideau continued: “I have taken trainings, put my team through trainings, and am regularly evaluating where we are at.”

Rabideau emphasized that some of the implicated staff members have not been with Tinkrlab since 2023. Still, her message stopped short of addressing the specific actions or policies taken to remedy the damage or prevent further incidents.

A Call for Justice and Accountability

For Smith, Rabideau’s response does little to address the emotional toll or correct the harm already done to her daughter.

“She was just a baby. An innocent baby,” Smith said through tears. “To think someone didn’t want to feed her or hold her because of her skin color—it breaks me.”

Smith is calling for greater accountability—not just for the individual staff members involved, but for systemic reforms at Tinkrlab and greater oversight from regulatory agencies.

“This should have never happened,” she said. “I want people to know the truth, and I want to make sure no other child has to go through what my daughter did.”

State and Community Response

While the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs has reportedly been involved, Smith insists that the lack of transparency and direct communication from state officials made the situation even more difficult.

“It was only after I went through the FOIA process that I found out what actually happened,” Smith said. “They weren’t going to tell me.”

The community’s response has been mixed. Some are expressing outrage while others are still unaware of the full extent of the findings. Advocates and local leaders are calling for town halls and independent reviews into the practices at Tinkrlab, hoping this case will spur long-overdue reform in how daycare facilities are monitored. Perhaps, this situation being brought to light will inspire positive change.

Conclusion

The case of racial discrimination at Tinkrlab daycare highlights a deeper issue that extends beyond one facility. While CPS has made its findings clear, and Tinkrlab’s owner has made public promises to improve, many are left questioning whether justice has truly been served.

Smith’s story underscores the emotional trauma that parents endure when their children are harmed in spaces meant to protect them. Her persistence in exposing the truth, through official channels and public awareness, stands as a powerful call to action.

As the report continues to make headlines, community members, parents, and local officials must work together to ensure that incidents like this never happen again—and that every child, regardless of race, is treated with dignity and care. Smith is not just fighting for Braelynn; she’s demanding a better future for all children.