Numbers for 2020 are not yet available.
Madlynn Ruble, a department spokeswoman, said the department first started looking at deaths at unlicensed day cares operating illegally last October.
That work was broadened into a review of “our process concerning unlicensed, illegal child care, and how we address these situations in the future under the current legal parameters,” Ruble said in an email.
The review is tentatively expected to be completed by July 1.
In addition to that review, Ruble said a task force would make recommendations aimed at preventing “tragedies like this.”
At the same time, state Sen. Jessica Danielson wants to introduce legislation that would require DHS to post online documents showing when unlicensed day cares are the subject of complaints, investigations or are ordered to close.