Babysitter questions

So I'm in a small pickle. My aunt a licensed daycare provider was supposed to watch our little one in Oct. Long story short she no longer can.

I have called every place around home car and centers (very small town limited options) they are all full for infants.

I have a good friend stay at home mom who said she would do it. I think that would be awesome BUT someone told me I could get in trouble for not having a licensed person or family....is this true?

I have never heard that before so was wondering what others may know about this. My mom always paied a family friend for me and my sibs however that was 10 years ago (youngest brois 17)