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Compliance Inspector (CI) Heather Radney conducted an investigation of the allegation that a 16-year-old daycare worker walked several children (approximately 4 years old and older) to the park across town by herself. The allegation is substantiated based on the following information:
5 CSR 25-500.102 (1) (C) which states Individuals eighteen (18) years of age or older shall be counted in meeting the required staff/child ratios.
5 CSR 25-600.020 (1) which states Prior to the employment or presence of a child care staff member in a licensed, regulated, or registered child care facility not exempted by section 210.1080.13, RSMo, the child care provider shall request the results of a criminal background check for such child care staff member from the department.
On June 28, 2023, CI Radney interviewed Person in Charge Lara Davey, Caregiver Brianna Paxton and Child A. They reported knowing that the minor caregiver took a group of children to the park by herself with no adult caregiver. Child A reported that two teenagers met them along the way to the park. Person in Charge Lara Davey stated that the minor caregiver had a background check completed but could not locate the form during the inspection.
On July 3, 2023, CI Radney interviewed LLC Member/Director Katelyn Sears. She initially reported to CI Radney that the minor caregiver is not alone with children and then admitted that the minor caregiver had taken a group of children on a walk to the park with no other caregiver. Katelyn reported that the minor caregiver only informed her that two other teenagers joined them at the park after the investigation had begun. LLC Member/Director Katelyn Sears reported the minor caregiver had a background check completed but provided CI Radney with a copy of the Family Care Safety Registry Screening and said they couldn't get the minor caregiver fingerprinted because she was a minor. A comprehensive criminal background screening had not been completed prior to the minor's employment and presence in the child care facility.
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