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Compliance Inspector (CI) Heather Radney conducted an investigation of the allegation that Michaela grabbed Child A by the shoulders and shook her. She also set her down and hit her back. There was no excessive force and no bruises to child. Child A had no symptoms and no complaints or pain. The allegation is substantiated based on the following information:
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)7. - Physical punishment including, but not limited to, spanking, slapping, shaking, biting, or pulling hair shall be prohibited.
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)3. - Only constructive, age-appropriate methods of discipline shall be used to help children develop self-control and assume responsibility for their own actions.
On February 7, 2024, CI Radney conducted interviews with Dawn Ashlock, Brenda Taylor and Child A. Dawn Ashlock stated Brenda was in the classroom when the incident occurred. Brenda told her about the incident the next morning. Brenda told her she was getting on to Child A about running in the classroom and Michaela intervened and grabbed and shook Child A and sat her down. When Michaela sat Child A down, she sat her down hard and Child A's back hit the cabinet. This was for discipline. She immediately texted Tawnya Pace and told her what Brenda had told her. Brenda Taylor reported she had gotten on to Child A for running around the room. Child A started running and Michaela grabbed her on her upper arms, picked her up, put her on the green carpet, and started shaking her using her two arms on Child A's upper arms causing her head to go back and forth. Michaela was yelling "no running" at her and that she was tired of messing with her. Michaela pushed her with one arm/hand to Child A's chest and Child A fell backwards and she hit the bookshelf with her back and her bottom hitting the floor and she started crying. She thinks Michaela was disciplining or punishing Child A. Michaela did not help Child A up. She told Dawn the next morning about the incident. Child A reported Michaela got on to her about something very mean. She cried and felt sad.
5 CSR 25-500.192(5)(A) - In case of accident or injury to a child, the provider shall notify the parent(s) immediately. If the child requires emergency medical care, the provider shall follow the parent's(s') written instructions.
On February 7, 2024, CI Radney conducted interviews with Brenda Taylor and Dawn Ashlock. Brenda reported she saw the incident occur and did not tell anyone until she told Dawn the next morning. Dawn reported she learned of the incident the morning after it occurred and she texted Tawnya about the incident.
On February 7, 2024, CI Radney reviewed documentation of the incident from Child A's folder.
On March 1, 2024, CI Radney conducted an interview with Tawnya Pace. She reported the incident occurred January 25, 2024. She learned about it on Friday, January 26, 2024 when Dawn texted her. She and Jesse called Parent A together on Friday, January 26, 2024.
On March 6, 2024, CI Radney conducted an interview with Parent A. She reported the incident occurred on Thursday, January 25, 2024 and she was told about it on Friday, January 26, 2024.
On March 6, 2024, CI Radney conducted an interview with Jesse Cox. She reported the incident occurred on Thursday, January 25, 2024 and she learned of the incident on Friday, January 26, 2024. She was on the phone call with Parent A on Friday, January 26, 2024.
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