The state Department of Human Services suspended a Kailua-Kona group child care center’s operating license last Friday, citing repeated noncompliance with state licensing requirements and a continued threat to children being cared for, according to a department news release.

The department could also revoke the center’s license to operate a group child care center for 76 children.

Licensing problems for Kid’s Play Corner, Inc., which does business as Busy Buddies Hawaii, stem from a 2009 Child Welfare Service investigation that found that one of the center’s staff members had threatened to abuse a child being cared for at the center.

DHS required owners of the center to fire the individual, who DHS deemed unsuitable to provide child care, to maintain compliance with licensing requirements. The individual was also banned from the center during child care hours and when children were present.

DHS said it later confirmed that the individual had violated the ban, having returned to the center on multiple occasions since 2009.

No other details were available from the department.

Busy Buddies Hawaii may appeal the license suspension, but would still be unable to care for any children until a decision in the appeal is made.

Owners of Busy Buddies Hawaii could not be reached for comment.