CANTON, Conn. -- Eyewitness News has learned that a Canton day care has been closed and its owner arrested.

Nancy Smith, the owner of A Mom's Way day care on Dowd Avenue was arrested late last month.

Smith's arrest came after a mother of four children at the center said a former employee told her that her children and others were often disciplined by Smith.

The employee said Smith left the children unsupervised in high chairs for "time outs." The employee said Smith would lock other children in the bathroom for extended periods of time.

Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Len Besthoff reported that Smith has an arrest record, which includes a prostitution arrest in the '90s in Wethersfield.

According to court documents, Smith was charged after offering to perform oral sex on an undercover detective for $200.

Besthoff reported that Smith's brother was employed as the day care's finance director. The brother had served eight year in prison on a larceny conviction.

Smith has also been accused of hiring a number of child care workers, including one with a list of pending violent crime charges, without conducting background checks.

The Department of Health said that both day care operators and employees must undergo background checks, but centers can begin doing business, and employees can begin working before the checks are completed.

The center opened in July 2007 and was properly licensed.

The Department of Public Health told Eyewitness News that it was aware of the situation and that an investigation was underway.

The department said that its decisions on people like Smith are based on how the convictions relate to the job, how long ago the conviction took place and the steps taken toward rehabilitation.

The department said it made three requests to Smith to explain her criminal convictions to maintain her license.