South Bend Daycare Operator Faces Felony Charges
The owner of Heavenly Harmony Hope Ministries faces three felony charges following reports of child neglect.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Child Care
Live Poll
Should all daycare facilities in your area be required to meet the same licensing standards?
Tysharae Jones, the operator of the South Bend-based Heavenly Harmony Hope Ministries, is facing three felony charges including neglect of a dependent. The charges follow allegations that children were filmed fighting inside the home.
Why it matters
The case highlights the regulatory status of religious-based facilities in Indiana, which are exempt from standard child care licensing requirements. This status allows registered ministries to operate under different oversight protocols than traditional daycare centers.
Heavenly Harmony Hope Ministries holds an active state permit valid until 2028 and is classified as an unlicensed, registered ministry. Records show the facility has undergone 77 inspections, resulting in 7 critical health and safety violations.
The players
Tysharae Jones
She is the operator of the Heavenly Harmony Hope Ministries daycare facility in South Bend.
Heavenly Harmony Hope Ministries
This is a South Bend-based daycare facility classified as an unlicensed, registered ministry in Indiana.
The details
Jones faces charges of neglect of a dependent, battery with injury to a person under 14, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. A video allegedly surfaced showing children fighting inside the home where the ministry operates.
Timeline
Tysharae Jones was released on bond from St. Joseph County Jail on October 26, 2026.
The current permit for Heavenly Harmony Hope Ministries remains valid until 2028.
Culture Shift
This situation underscores the regulatory divide created by Indiana's child care licensing exemption for religious ministries. The case highlights how this specific legal framework influences oversight for facilities operating as registered ministries compared to traditional licensed centers.
Families utilizing home-based or ministry-linked care facilities should review facility status via state records. Parents can confirm the inspection history of local providers to ensure they are aware of any past health or safety findings.
The takeaway
Parents are encouraged to use available state databases to research the inspection history of any child care provider. Understanding the licensing status of a facility can help families make informed decisions about the safety and oversight of their child's environment.
Further reading
For additional information on regional standards, visit South Bend Child Care.
More information
To verify the history of local providers, use the Indiana Child Care Finder search tool.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wndu.
Live Poll
Should all daycare facilities in your area be required to meet the same licensing standards?
