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Compliance Inspector (CI) Jessica Ibbotson conducted an investigation regarding the allegation that babies would scream and cry continuously, without any staff acknowledging their needs or paying attention to them. After conducting the investigation, CI Ibbotson finds this allegation is substantiated. This conclusion is based on the following evidence of licensing rule violations which occurred at the facility:
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)7. which states: "Caregivers shall provide special attention on an individual basis for new children having problems adjusting, distressed children, etc. Children shall be encouraged, but not forced to participate in group activities."
On April 5, 2023, CI Ibbotson conducted a walkthrough of the facility and observed Caregivers Raiona Murphy and Ky-Isha Whitley with eight children, ages 14-months-old to 2-years-old. During a drop off of one child, CI Ibbotson observed the child to be distressed, crying and screaming as she walked around the classroom, following Ms. Murphy. However, CI Ibbotson observed Ms. Murphy to walk around the child, unresponsive to the child's cries and screams. CI Ibbotson then observed Ms. Whitley attend to the child approximately five minutes later by picking her up, in which the child immediately stopped crying. Ms. Whitley stated that it was the child's third day attending the facility and was having a hard time adjusting. Even though staff stated that children were never left to cry on their own, CI Ibbotson observed otherwise.
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