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Compliance Inspector (CI) Mariah Bloom and CI Heather Radney conducted an investigation of the allegations The owner of this daycare, Elizabeth Lawson, often leaves her daycare children with a mentally incapacitated employee that cannot handle all of the children at once, and two children escaped through a hole in the fence of the daycare and were playing in the street. An elderly couple found the children and brought them back to the daycare. These allegations are substantiated based on the following information:
5 CSR 25-400.105 (1)(E) which states Caregivers shall be capable of handling emergencies promptly and intelligently.
On August 29, 2022, Sara Gallup could not tell CI Bloom the ages of the children in the home nor could she tell her how many children they were caring for. On August 30, 2022, Sara could not tell CI Bloom the number of children in her care or the ages of the children in her care. Sara reported she does not think she can call 9-1-1 from her watch and does not have a phone. Elizabeth "Liz" Lawson left Assistant Sara Gallup in charge of the children when she left the facility, and on two occasions Sara was not able to tell CI Bloom the number of children in her care or their ages. Sara also reported she does not have a phone and does not know how to call 9-1-1 from her watch or if she even can.
5 CSR 25-400.085 (3)(A)1 which states An outdoor play area shall be available on or adjoining the day care property. The play area shall be located so it is convenient and the children can gain access to it without hazard. It shall be fenced when necessary for the protection of children from traffic, water or other hazards. For family day care homes initially licensed after the effective date of these rules, or for the installation of new fences in existing facilities, the fence shall be at least forty-two inches (42") high. Fences shall be constructed to prevent children from crawling or falling through or becoming entrapped.
Elizabeth "Liz" Lawson reported that she was returning to the facility from dropping kids off at school when Sara Gallup called her and told her that two children got out of the fenced in yard. Sara reported that she saw the two children leave the gated yard and ran after them. Elizabeth reported the gate on the fence had a padlock but it was not clicked so the children were able to push the gate open and leave the yard.
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