SYCAMORE – The DeKalb County Courthouse opened a 42,000-square-foot expansion in the fall, but Cynthia Nicholson and her assistant are just fine caring for children in an old baliff’s room.

The Children’s Waiting Room, a small space on the first floor of the courthouse that offers free child care for parents making court appearances, was passed over for a new, larger area in the courthouse basement during the expansion that could have provided space for cribs and playpens.

Although Nicholson and assistant Kyle Hughes still have to hold every infant that comes through the door because of the lack of room for cribs, they said they are pleased with the setup and glad to help as many children and parents as they can. The room can handle about six or seven children at a time before Nicholson places a full capacity sign on the door.