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Compliance Inspector (CI) Jessica Ibbotson conducted an investigation regarding the allegation that Child A had bruising on upper arm and shoulder area after reporting to Parent A and Parent B that a teacher did it to her during naptime. 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)(C)7. which states: "Physical punishment including, but not limited to, spanking, slapping, shaking, biting, or pulling hair shall be prohibited."
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 April 6, 2023, CI Ibbotson interviewed Child A, Parent A, Parent B, Director Stieferman, Assistant Director Nordeen, Caregiver Harrington and District Manager Barker. Child A stated that she had a booboo on her arm by Caregiver Underwood. Child A stated that Caregiver Underwood hurt her because she wanted a different blanket during naptime than what Caregiver Underwood had given her. Child A stated that Caregiver Underwood grabbed her really, really tight and that she did not like it when she did that. CI Ibbotson interviewed Parent A and Parent B, who both stated that they observed bruising on Child's upper left forearm with approximately four scratch marks on her chest area, as well as approximately two scratch marks on her right shoulder blade at approximately 6:00 p.m. on April 4, 2023. Parent A and Parent B stated that this was when Child A had reported to them that Caregiver Underwood had hurt her during naptime that day.
Director Stieferman and District Manager Barker agreed after reviewing the footage from April 4, 2023, Caregiver Underwood was acting too aggressive towards Child A and needed to be placed on administrative leave immediately during the open investigation. District Manger Barker stated that after reviewing the video footage, it was determined that Caregiver Underwood was not following the facility's positive behavior policy.
CI Ibbotson reviewed video footage from April 4, 2023, regarding Child A. At 11:46 a.m., Caregiver Underwood was observed to be the only teacher present in Child A's classroom. Child A got off of her cot, in which Caregiver Underwood then grabbed Child A from under her left armpit aggressively as she walked her back to her cot. Child A was observed holding her arm as she was on her cot. Caregiver Underwood walked away from Child A as Child A appeared to be crying as she stood back off of her cot. Caregiver Underwood started to walk towards Child A, but Child A continued to run away from her. Caregiver Underwood was observed grabbing Child A's arm while she ran past her and walked her back to her cot. While standing at the cot, Caregiver Underwood was observed grabbing Child A's left arm again with one hand in an aggressive manner.
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