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On January 17, 2024, Compliance Inspector (CI) Cole Eddins conducted an investigation regarding the allegation that the facility has no heat, and the fire alarm sprinklers were set off which caused some rooms to flood. After conducting the investigation, CI Eddins finds the allegation is unsubstantiated. This conclusion is based on the following evidence of licensing rule violations which occurred at the facility:
5 CSR 25-500.082(1)(A) Which states: "The premises shall be safe and suitable for the care of children."
and
5 CSR 25-500.082(2)(A)5. Which states: "The facility shall be dry, temperature controlled, well-ventilated and free of drafts. Children shall not be overheated or chilled. The temperature of the rooms shall be no less than sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit (68F) and no more than eighty-five degrees Fahrenheit (85F) when measured two feet (2') from the floor."
On January 17, 2024, CI Eddins interviewed Director Michelle Mannell, Assistant Director Tonya Hunsaker-Farris, Assistant Director Simone Jackson, and Caregiver Christi Yazell who all provided consistent information. Director Mannell, Assistant Director Hunsaker-Farris, Assistant Director Jackson, and Caregiver Yazell stated that the facility's heater had gone out on January 15, 2024, which caused the facility to close that same morning. They all stated that the heater was fixed later that afternoon at around 2:30 p.m. Director Mannell, Assistant Director Hunsaker-Farris, Assistant Director Jackson, and Caregiver Yazell stated that on January 16, 2024, some of the infant caregivers noticed some water dripping from the ceiling in room C. They stated that the water began to spread to other upstairs classrooms and the facility was forced to shut the water off and close the facility for the remainder of the day. Director Mannell, Assistant Director Hunsaker-Farris, Assistant Director Jackson, and Caregiver Yazell stated that due to the heater going out, and the extremely cold outside temperatures reaching below zero degrees Fahrenheit, the water pipes froze above the upper-level classrooms which caused the pipes to burst.
On January 17, 2024, CI Eddins conducted a walkthrough of the facility and observed the facility to be closed down. CI Eddins observed buckets that were collecting water that was dripping from the ceiling and multiple fans in each of the upper-level classrooms. CI Eddins observed multiple fans and buckets in the upper-level hallways to help dry out and/or contain the leaking water. CI Eddins observed the upstairs classrooms to average about 65 degrees Fahrenheit due to the fans running in each room.
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