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On May 19, 2023, the Office of Childhood received a report alleging that the facility left a 9 year old child in the facility van on 5/17/23. 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 25-500.212(3)(G) which states "Children shall not be left unattended in a vehicle at any time."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)3 which states "Caregivers shall provide frequent, direct contact so children are not left unobserved on the premises."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)1 which states "Caregivers shall not leave any child without competent adult supervision."
On May 23, 2023, Compliance Inspector (CI) Caylin Mertz conducted an unannounced inspection at the facility. LLC Member DeLacy Miller, Director Mercedes Epps, and Caregivers Audrey Bumgarner and Chris Hogue were interviewed. Each stated that Child A (nine-years-old) was left in the facility van unsupervised for approximately two minutes before being located by Audrey. Parent A was also interviewed, she stated she was told Child A was left in the facility van for a couple of minutes. An incident report and video footage were also received and reviewed which are consistent with statements provided by facility staff and Parent A.
5 CSR 25-500.212(3)(L) which states "Head counts shall be taken before leaving the facility, after entering the vehicle, during a field trip, after taking the children to bathrooms, after returning to the vehicle and when back at the facility."
Caregiver Chris Hogue was interviewed. He stated he did not take a head count or name to face attendance after the children exited the van. Video footage reviewed does not show Chris count the children or take attendance prior to going inside the facility.
5 CSR 25-500.212(3)(M) which states "When children leave the vehicle, the vehicle shall be inspected to ensure that no children are left on or under seats."
LLC Member DeLacy Miller, Director Mercedes Epps, and Caregiver Chris Hogue were interviewed. DeLacy and Mercedes had previously reviewed the video footage and note that Chris does not inspect the vehicle. Chris also stated he did not inspect the vehicle as he was distracted by his children running towards other visiting children. CI Mertz reviewed video footage and while Chris does glance back into the van, this does not constitute a satisfactory inspection of the van to ensure that no children were left behind.
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