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On January 11, 2024, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that sometime between September and December 2023, Lauren Pettit, teacher, left Child A (age 3-years-old) in the stair well unattended for at least an hour. In May 2023, Lauren Pettit fell asleep in class while watching the children. Taylor, teacher, went to lunch one time with all the kids and didn't count. She left a kid, Child B (age 4-years-old), upstairs, by herself around 15 minutes. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Jade Stewart-Martin have found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence.
5 CSR 25-300.060 (1)(A) ., which states: "Children shall not be left without adult supervision."
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5 CSR 25-300.040 (1)., which states: "Supervision and basic care shall be provided at all license-exempt facilities."
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5 CSR 25-300.050 (11)., which states: "In case of an accident or injury to a child, the provider shall notify a parent immediately. If a child requires emergency medical care, a parent's prior written instructions shall be followed. A form shall be completed indicating the circumstances and the date and time of the injury. The form shall be signed by the caregiver and his/her supervisor. A copy of the form shall be given to the parent the day of the accident or injury and necessary explanations shall be given. The form shall be filed in the child's record."
On January 18, 2024, Compliance Inspector (CI) Jade Stewart-Martin interviewed director Alison Beach, assistant director Crysten Wappelhorst, and teachers: Lauren Pettit, Taylor Dames, Tony Brethauer, and Sarah Klein. Alison Beach and Crysten Wappelhorst were unaware of the incident involving Lauren Pettit leaving Child A in the stair well unattended for an hour. Lauren Pettit did admit to leaving Child A in the stair well during a transition from the classroom to the playground. Lauren Pettit stated that she was reprimanded by the old director Katie Norton but was unsure of when the incident occurred or how long Child A was left unattended. Lauren Pettit stated that she is unaware of any incident report being made or parents being notified. Regarding Lauren Pettit falling asleep in May 2023, the current director Alison Beach and assistant director Crysten Wappelhorst were aware of this incident. Alison Beach was the one that found Ms. Pettit asleep, and she was written up for the incident by Ms. Beach. Crysten Wappelhorst admitted to finding Child B upstairs unattended and bringing her down to the lunchroom. Crysten Wappelhorst, and Child B's teachers Tony Brethauer and Taylor Dames all admit that Child B was left unattended, all are unsure of exactly how long Child B was alone, but they say she could not have been left for more than a couple of minutes. All staff interviewed said that they do multiple head counts per day especially during transitions to avoid this type of incident in the future. Child A and Child B were interviewed but did not provide any relevant information.
On January 18, 2024, Compliance Inspector (CI) Jade Stewart-Martin conducted an unannounced inspection at the facility and observed enrollment forms for Child A and Child B. Additionally, CI Stewart-Martin observed the discipline form that was given to Lauren Pettit on May 23, 2023, for sleeping on a cot during nap time while in staff/child ratio.
On January 29, 2024, Compliance Inspector (CI) Jade Stewart-Martin conducted an interview via phone with previous director Katie Norton and Parent A. Katie Norton, the previous director did vaguely remember the incident involving Child A but stated that Child A was left for just a few minutes and there was no incident report made and the parents were not made aware. Parent A (parent of Child A) confirmed that she was not made aware of the incident regarding Lauren Pettit leaving Child A in the stairwell. She was only made aware after a call from another state agency. Parent A said that Child A did not recall the incident when asked.
On January 30, 2024, Compliance Inspector (CI) Jade Stewart-Martin conducted an interview via phone with Parent B (Parent of Child B). Parent B was unaware of Child B being left upstairs unattended. Parent B was not exactly sure of when it happened but believes it happened sometime in the summer of 2023. She was only made aware of this incident when an ex-employee texted Parent B. Parent B called the facility after finding out about the incident, no reason was given to why Parent B was not notified nor was an incident report filled out. Child B said she remembered the incident and was left upstairs in the bathroom crying.
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