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On October 23, 2023 the Office of Childhood received a report alleging "On October 20, 2023 at 05:20 p.m., this childcare facility denied reporter's rights to legal information regarding the care and contractual details of reporter's minor child (Child A 3-year-old daughter) who is in their care. Reporter's estranged husband enrolled Child A and listed reporter as an authorized pick up and not as her mother. Even with all supporting legal documents provided (birth certificate, social security card, marriage license), they stated that reporter was not entitled to that information per their director's conversation with reporter's husband. All court documents show reporter is her legal guardian and biological mother. There are no court assigned custody agreements." 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 25-500.222(9) which states "All records of children shall be confidential, protected from unauthorized examination, and available to the parent(s) upon request."
On October 25, 2023 Compliance Inspector (CI) Caylin Mertz conducted an unannounced inspection of the facility. A walkthrough of the facility was completed. Director Lisa Parsons and Caregiver Emily Dunkeson were interviewed. Caregiver Emily Dunkeson indicated on October 20, 2023 Parent A entered the facility and requested a copy of Child A's file. Caregiver Emily told Parent A she could not have a copy as the paperwork had been completed by Child A's Father so it was his paperwork. Emily offered Parent A a blank copy of an enrollment form and suggested she complete another form to provide any information she deemed necessary. Parent A continued to state she had a right to Child A's file while Emily continued to deny her access to the file. Parent A eventually picked up Child A and left the facility.
On November 16, 2023 Parent A was interviewed. She indicated she had gone to pick Child A up from the facility on October 20, 2023 and requested a copy of her file. Caregiver Emily told her she could not have a copy due to confidentiality.
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