Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1998. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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United Press International - Saturday, October 03, 1998
The Ohio Civil Rights Commission has ruled the grocery chain likely violated the rights of 7-year-old Georgio Lee Chacon. However, Kroger has not changed its policy, which does not permit children who have contagious or infectious diseases from using the PePe's Playhouse baby- sitting service. There are 25 playhouses in Franklin County.
Georgio's guardian, Barbara Cordle, told the Columbus Dispatch, "I want them to change their policy or close their playhouses."
Dale Hollandsworth, Kroger's advertising manager in Columbus, said: "We have to consider the welfare of all our customers and our customers' children. We have received phone calls in support of our decision."
Cordle left the boy at a playhouse in August 1997 after telling the attendant about Georgio's HIV status. She later received a phone call from the store manager, who told her of Kroger's policy.
Cordle turned down an offer to give Georgio special tours of the store while she shopped. The company also said she could leave the boy in the play area if she had a new note from a doctor each time.
Cordle said: "There are 90 Georgios in this county. This isn't just about Georgio. If they're allowed to do this to an HIV-positive child, where does it end?"
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