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On June 1, 2023, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that: On May 31, 2023, staff member Savannah took the children outside to playground, when she brought the children back inside, she left Child A, age 4, on the playground by herself. Child A was on the playground for approximately 20 minutes alone. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Michelle Honea has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence:
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)1., which states: "Caregivers shall not leave any child without competent adult supervision."
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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."
On June 2, 2023, CI Honea conducted an unannounced inspection to the facility and interviewed director Megan Barte, and teachers Karryssa Bellamy, Kacy Bergfeld, Grace Hickman, Savannah Terry and Amanda Brill. Director Megan Barte stated that she was aware that Child A had been outside without Savannah for a few minutes. McKensie told her that Child A was still outside. It could not have been more than a few minutes since Child A's class had come inside since she was standing at the door leading to the playground at the time. Teachers Savanna Terry and Karryssa Bellamy both stated that Child A was left outside for approximately fifteen minutes unsupervised. Savanna did not realize Child A had been left outside because a head count was not completed. None of the teachers even knew Child A was outside until McKensie and Karryssa found Child A at 9:30 am. when they were lining up their class to come inside. All caregivers stated that Megan had a talk to Savanna about leaving Child A outside. Not one caregiver knows exactly how long Child A was left unattended on the playground but are thinking approximately 15 minutes from the time Savannah took her class in to the time McKensie and Karryssa lined up their class to go in and found Child A.
On June 2, 2023, CI Honea observed the playground with the climbing equipment that Child A was left under. It was a wooden triangular structure with a slide on one side. Child A was found under the structure. CI Honea also observed that the climbing equipment was to the right of the door leading back inside and was not in a straight line of sight to the door where director Megan was standing so she could not have seen Child A still outside. CI Honea observed there were no cameras outside so the incident was not recorded.
On June 8, 2023, CI Honea conducted a phone interview with teacher McKensie Moutray. She stated that she was lining her class up to go inside when she found Child A outside under the climbing equipment after teacher Savanna Terry's class which included Child A had already went inside. She believes it was approximately 15 to 20 minutes after Savanna's class had gone inside that she found Child A. This was at approximately 9:30 am.
On June 8, 2023, CI Honea conducted an interview via phone with Parent A. Parent A stated that she did not know that Child A had been left outside until another agency called her. She did talk to Jackie Nichols on Thursday night at 8:00 pm about the situation which took place on Wednesday May 31, 2023 with Child A being left outside. Parent A was told by Jackie that nothing happened, and Child A was not left outside. Parent A feels that everyone played it off.
5 CSR 25-550.102(1)(E)., which states: "Caregivers shall have knowledge of the needs of children and shall be sensitive to the capabilities, interests, and problems of children in care."
On June 2, 2023, CI Honea interviewed staff Savanna Terry. She stated that Child A needs special attention getting inside and outside. Child A has to be in the shade if it is sunny outside. Typically, Child A will be placed up under the climber with a blanket and toys. Teacher Kacy Bergfeld stated that Child A has tumors behind her eyes and is every sensitive to light. The teachers were aware of Child A's condition and still left her outside alone for approximately 15 minutes.
5 CSR 25-500.132(6)., which states: "A child who has a special physical, developmental, or behavioral need shall have on file an individualized plan for specialized care from a professionally qualified source."
On June 2, 2023, CI Honea reviewed Child A's file. On Child A's enrollment form it states that Child A has Hydrocephalus, Chiari Malformation and NF1 and has extreme sun sensitivity to her eyes and wears glasses. There was no specialized care form signed by a doctor in Child A's file regarding these conditions.
On June 8, 2023, CI Honea conducted a phone interview with Parent A. Parent A stated that Child A was back on treatments because she has tumors behind her eyes and is very sensitive to sunlight and needs to be in the shade. Parent A stated that all caregivers at the facility know about Child A's condition and documentation was provided to the facility.
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