By Zach Patberg
Frank Cresciullo, formerly a regional director of the state's Office of Children and Family Services, was tapped to head the city's Bureau of Day Care Monday. It marks the Health Department's latest step in a broad overhaul sparked by last year's infant death in a Forest Hills day-care center. Previously a state child welfare administrator, Cresciullo will now oversee licensing and inspections of more than 9,400 day care facilities throughout the five boroughs.His title of assistant commissioner was created to fill the position left by the old bureau chief, who was fired after an investigation found that inspectors visiting Devlin Daycare on 72nd Avenue in Forest Hills in August neglected to check the upstairs where 6-month-old Matthew Perilli was found dead in his crib hours later. The death was ruled a homicide after medical examiners discovered the infant suffocated as a result of unsupervised toddlers piling toys on top of him.Since the incident, the Health Department has also closed 26 day-care facilities in the city. “Although significant progress has been made in the past few months, much more needs to be done,” Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden said Monday. “I am confident that, under its new leadership, the bureau will continue to ensure the health and safety of all children in the day care centers throughout the city.”Frieden said Cresciullo, 42, a former child abuse specialist and caseworker who holds a master's degree in public administration, had the extensive background and energy needed during a time of change.
