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On August 21, 2023, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that teacher Alecia Porter at Williams Academy LLC made fun of Child A (10-years-old), saying their legs were ashy and then was inside and stuck her tongue out at Child A and said, "That's why they're in the heat and she's in the air." After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Patrick O'Malley has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence:
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)8., which states the following: "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 August 22, 2023, CI O'Malley conducted an unannounced inspection of the facility and conducted interviews with Alecia Porter, director Carolyn Jones, and teacher Yonnick Jones. Ms. Porter stated that on the afternoon of August 17, 2023, she supervised the school age class on the outside playground. She asked the class to line up to go inside; Child A asked to go inside for a drink of water. Ms. Porter told Child A that they could wait until the rest of the class went inside. Child A made fun of Ms. Porter's hair, saying it looked like she was wearing a cheap weave. Ms. Porter responded with, "Don't be talking about my hair with those ashy legs." Ms. Porter stuck her tongue out at Child A. Ms. Porter stated that Child A was very upset and looked like they were about to cry. Ms. Porter thought Child A overreacted to being teased. Ms. Porter denied saying anything about being inside while Child A was outside.
Mr. Jones stated that Child A was very disrespectful for the entire summer. Child A constantly texted Parent A (parent of Child A) with complaints about the facility and staff.
Ms. Jones stated that Child A was disrespectful of staff and bullied other children.
On August 22, 2023, CI O'Malley conducted a phone interview with Parent A, who stated that Child A reported that "Ms. Phylicia" told Child A that Child A's legs were "ashy" and "Ms. Phylicia" stuck her tongue out at Child A. Parent A denied being present for the interaction. Parent A declined to allow CI O'Malley to speak with Child A. Parent A stated that Child A was no longer enrolled at the facility.
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