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On March 17, 2023, the Office of Childhood received a reporting alleging that a staff had threatened to cut off a child's fingers. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Caylin Mertz has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence and rule violations:
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)3 which states "Only constructive, age-appropriate methods of discipline shall be used to help children develop self-control and assume responsibility for their own actions."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)8 which states "No discipline technique which is humiliating, threatening, or frightening to children shall be used. Children shall not be shamed, ridiculed, or spoken to harshly, abusively, or with profanity."
On March 20, 2023, CI Caylin Mertz conducted an unannounced inspection at the facility. Director Katelyn "Kate" Gibson was interviewed. Kate said Child A was flipping people off and was redirected several times. Kate then told Child A that she would chop her fingers off if she did not stop. Child A repeated the behavior and Kate took her to the kitchen. Child A was crying. Kate immediately knew she had made a mistake and contacted Parent A to explain the incident. Caregivers Abigail Caldwell, Angel Buhlinger, and Brianna Paxton were interviewed. They all reported that Child A was flipping off other people, was redirected several times, and Kate threatened to chop off the child's fingers. Kate then took Child A to the kitchen. Child A provided corroborating information. She felt sad and scared when this happened. Parent A was interviewed. She was told about the incident by her daughter and by Kate. She believes this was not an appropriate way for Kate to respond to the situation but does not have concerns about the care Child A is receiving. Based on the evidence received, Child A was frightened by this method of discipline. Additionally, making threats of this nature is not considered constructive or age appropriate discipline.
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