Quincy daycare remains open while co-operator faces aggravated assault charges

QUINCY — A Quincy man made his first appearance Monday afternoon in Adams County Circuit Court after he was arrested last week on a charge of aggravated assault.

Carl E. Douglas II, who turns 48 in August, appeared with attorney Drew Schnack before Judge Josh Jones. He had been detained in the Adams County Jail since his Thursday, July 18, arrest.

Charging documents filed Monday, July 22 indicated Douglas had been charged with aggravated assault, a Class 4 felony punishable for between one and three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. He allegedly and knowingly rammed his vehicle several times on July 14 into a vehicle driven by Katherine M. Douglas.

An emergency order of protection against Carl Douglas was granted by Judge John Wooleyhan on July 17.

Assistant State’s Attorney Ryan Parker did not ask for Carl Douglas to be detained. Jones informed him of three conditions he must follow to remain on pretrial release — he reports to court, keeps the Adams County Clerk advised of his address and doesn’t violate the law.

Carl Douglas also must stay 500 feet away from Katherine Douglas and not contact her, directly or indirectly. That would include text messages, Facebook messages or contact through any social media.

Carl Douglas is scheduled to appear in Adams County Circuit Court on Tuesday to make a plea on a February traffic violation. A status hearing in the aggravated assault case is scheduled for Wednesday.

Carl Douglas and Katherine Douglas operate Little Angel’s Child Care and Preschool in the former Washington School building at 1400 N. Eighth. According to the business website, the Douglases started the daycare in October 2016 in Mason City, Iowa. They bought the building on Eighth from the Quincy School Board and started the daycare in Quincy during the summer of 2019. ChildcareCenter.us says the daycare is licensed to have a capacity of 119 children from age 6 weeks to 12 years.

The daycare is under the ownership of Little Angel’s Child Care and Preschool LLC. Carl Douglas is listed as the entity agent. The Douglases continue to own daycares in Mason City, Iowa, and Forest City, Iowa.

Schnack said after Monday’s hearing that the Quincy daycare was open on Monday and is expected to remain open. He said Katherine Douglas left the state after last week’s incident.