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On May 9, 2023, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that: On May 4, 2023, staff member Angelina Bone picked up Child A aggressively and dropped Child A onto the cot in a rough manner. As Director Megan Geiger was watching video footage of the incident the director found another incident where staff Angelina Bone jerked the cot across the floor causing Child A to fall off the cot onto the floor, Angelina then took Child A's blanket and turned to yell at Child A. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Michelle Honea has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence:
5 CSR 25-500.222(1)(C)4., which states: "Praise and encouragement of good behavior shall be used instead of focusing only upon unacceptable behavior."
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5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)9., which states: "Punishment or threat of punishment shall not be associated with food, rest, or toilet training."
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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."
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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."
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CSR 25-500.092(1)(B)1.A., which states: "An individual cot or bed shall be provided for each child who naps or sleeps. An individually assigned sheet and blanket shall be provided for each child twelve (12) months and older who naps or sleeps. Upper levels of bunk beds shall not be used."
On May 9, 2023, CI Honea received a call from director Megan Geiger who explained the incidents that have happened regarding Child A and Child B and teacher Angelina Bone on April 28, 2023 and May 04, 2023. After it was brought to her attention and she observed video footage of her grabbing and handling both children roughly, Angelina was terminated.
On May 11, 2023, CI Honea conducted an unannounced inspection to the facility and interviewed Caregiver A, assistant director Samantha Grozinger, and staff Taylor Hayes. Caregiver A understands there is an issue, and the facility will be doing intense training to correct the issues and stated that those behaviors from staff will not be tolerated. All staff interviewed stated that on May 04, 2023, teacher Angelina Bone grabbed Child A and threw him down on the cot and then pushed his cot and kick it causing him to fall off of it and that she also then took Child A's blanket away from him. She also grabbed Child B roughly by the arm and pulled him close to her on April 28, 2023 when the class was lining up on the playground to go inside. Angelina is no longer employed at the facility. Child A and Child B were not injured during the incidents and Parent A and Parent B were notified immediately once the information was obtained.
On May 11, 2023, CI Honea reviewed video footage from May 04, 2023. It was observed that teacher Angelina Bone grabbed the cot that Child A was on and pulled the cot roughly and then kicked it causing Child A to fall onto the floor. She then is seen on the video footage taking Child A's blanket from him. CI Honea also reviewed the video footage of teacher Angelina Bone picking up Child A, walking across the room with Child A in her arms, and dropping Child A onto the cot. CI Honea reviewed previous video footage from April 28, 2023 that shows teacher Angelina Bone grabbing Child B roughly by the arm and pulling Child B closer to her causing Child B's feet to come off the ground while lining up outside and then walking inside.
On May 16, 2023, CI Honea conducted a phone interview with Angelina Bone. Angelina stated that both incidents with Child A happened in the same day before lunch and right before naptime. Before lunch /outside time Child A pushed his cot near another child's cot. Both children jumped back and forth on the cots even though every day the children are taught not to jump on the cots. She realized what the children were doing and pulled Child A's cot a little too hard away from the other cot. Normally the children will kneel or sit down on the cots, so she didn't think anything about it when she pulled the cot over. She took Child A's blanket because Child A has a history of trying to tie up other children saying they are getting kidnapped or placed in jail. She did not mean to pull the cot so hard that Child A fell off onto the floor. Child A was not hurt but she should have done better to check on Child A right then. The second incident was during nap time. As the children came back inside after outside time the children wash hands, eat, and prepare for nap time. Child A was playing around in the bathroom. She walked Child A out of the bathroom and Child A threw himself on the floor. She picked up Child A and put Child A down on the cot. She does not remember the previous incident with Child B out on the playground a few days prior to this. She does not remember grabbing Child B by the arm and pulling Child B closer to her.
On May 16, 2023, CI Honea attempted to contact Parent A. No contact was made.
On May 16, 2023, CI Honea conducted a phone interview with Parent B. Parent B stated that was notified by the director of the incident that was found while watching camera footage. The facility has always been forthcoming with information. Child B is a total handful and was probably the reason the teacher grabbed him. Child B still goes to the facility and she does not have concerns about Child B's care.
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