I dont know Judy, regarding "cashing the check right away"....it is possible that this provider literally cashed this check because the business wasn't "booming" as she expected (due to the families that pulled out) and she truley NEEDED the money to pay bills, almost willing to bet that money has been spent. And she doesn't have any coming in too fast, due to lack of clients. So, going back to get your money's worth, is just about the only option for this Mother.
"You can't get blood from a stone" if the money is gone...it's gone.