Betty Jean Steede was registered to operate as a babysitter just weeks before little La'Naiye Simmons suffered a broken leg in her care in October 2006.

In order to get it, she filled out a Department of Health form authorising Police to release information about past criminal convictions in her past, even those for which a rehabilitation certificate had been issued.

In theory, this should have turned up her convictions for importing heroin in 1977 and obstructing the Police under the Misuse of Drugs Act in 1981.

However, Chief Environmental Health Officer David Kendell told this newspaper after she was convicted of grievous bodily harm yesterday: "Our file does not reflect anything of that. It's before my time (in the job) but nothing on the file indicates that she has a history."

Neither he, nor Estlyn Harvey — who held the role of chief in 2006 — could explain why the Police background check did not reveal the convictions and the Bermuda Police Service declined to comment.

However, Mr. Kendell said he would be meeting with Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Cann to discuss the case further.

Steede was only registered to care for up to three children under Department of Health rules designed to ensure youngsters get adequate care. However, she admitted in court that she looked after up to seven children.

The law provides for those who break the rules to be prosecuted and fined up to $1000. Mr. Kendell told The Royal Gazette that no-one has been prosecuted since the new rules came in in 1998 as it was hoped people would comply without this being necessary.

However, he said in the aftermath of the Steede case: "We are going to more strictly enforce the law."

He also acknowledged that there could be more than 50 child care providers in Bermuda who are not registered at all. They have therefore completely evaded the screening process which also includes checks with Child and Family Services and character references.

"We would appeal for them to get registered," he urged last night.