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MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

OFFICE OF CHILDHOOD - CHILD CARE COMPLIANCE

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION OF SUBSTANTIATED STATUTE OR RULE VIOLATIONS
Facility Information
Date of Report
2/8/2024 12:00:00 AM
DVN
001743760
Facility Name
SPECTRUM STATION, LLC
Facility Address
3250 N AMERISTAR DR
City
KANSAS CITY
Zip Code
64161-9223
Phone
(816) 459-8000
County
CLAY
Assigned Specialist
EDDINS, COLE
Rule/Statute Violation(s)
ViolationViolation Description
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)6. Firm, positive statements or redirection of behavior shall be used with infants and toddlers.
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(D)3. Caregivers shall be alert to various needs of the child such as thirst, hunger,diaper change, fear of or aggression by other children, and the need for attention.
5 CSR 25-500.182(2)(C)4.B. An infant's head and face shall remain uncovered during sleep;
5 CSR 25-500.182(2)(C)4.G. After awakening, an infant may remain in the crib as long as s/he is content, but never for periods longer than thirty (30) minutes; and
Conclusion Summary
On February 8, 2024, Compliance Inspector (CI) Cole Eddins conducted an unannounced inspection regarding the allegation that Nancy Flemming wraps Child A (8-months-old) and an unknown infant (8-months-old) very tightly and covers their faces with a blanket. Nancy Flemming leaves babies in their cribs for "hours" and does not do anything while they are crying. Nancy Flemming shoves food into their mouths and they choke. Nancy forces infants to have a bottle and they choke and spit up. When babies spit up in their cribs, Nancy Flemming doesn't clean it up and if she does, she uses the same rags between babies. If a parent has brought in specific food for their child, she will feed it to other children as well. After conducting the investigation, CI Eddins finds the allegation is substantiated. This conclusion is based on the following evidence of licensing rule violations which occurred at the facility: 5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)6. which states "Firm, positive statements or redirection of behavior shall be used with infants and toddlers." On February 8, 2024, CI Eddins completed an unannounced inspection and interviewed Director Jenifer Reiter, LLC Managing Member Janice Powell, and Administrative Assistant Jenifer Phillips. Jenifer Reiter, Janice, and Jenifer Phillips stated that they have heard from other caregivers that Caregiver Nancy Flemming sometimes uses harsh tones with children. On February 8, 2024, CI Eddins interviewed Caregiver Audreana Strickler and Caregiver Druew Buentello, who stated that they have both observed Nancy yell at infants while they were crying or left in a crib. Audreana and Druew stated that Nancy had a short temper with infants and would yell at her infants often. On February 8, 2024, CI Eddins interviewed Caregiver Cindy Dover. Cindy observed Nancy yelling at infants several times when Nancy appeared frustrated with the infants. AND 5 CSR 25-500.182(2)(C)4.B. which states "An infant's head and face shall remain uncovered during sleep." On February 8, 2024, CI Eddins interviewed Audreana and Druew, who both stated that on multiple occasions, they have observed Nancy wrap Child A's and possibly another child's face up with a blanket when Nancy was trying to pat them to sleep in her arms. AND 5 CSR 25-500.182(2)(C)4.G. which states "After awakening, an infant may remain in the crib as long as s/he is content, but never for periods longer than thirty (30) minutes; and" On February 8, 2024, CI Eddins interviewed Audreana and Druew, who both stated that they have both observed Nancy leave infants in their cribs crying for more than 30 minutes to several hours at a time. AND 5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(D)3. which states "Caregivers shall be alert to various needs of the child such as thirst, hunger, diaper change, fear of or aggression by other children, and the need for attention." On February 8, 2024, CI Eddins interviewed Audreana and Druew, who both stated that they have observed Nancy force baby bottles into infants' mouths when it was clear that the infants were trying to pull away from the bottles. They have observed more than one infant spit up in reaction to Nancy forcing a bottle into infants' mouths. They have observed Nancy leave infants in their cribs crying for more than 30 minutes to several hours at a time and leave spit up in the cribs with the infants for more than 30 minutes to an hour at a time. On February 8, 2024, CI Eddins interviewed Cindy. She has observed Nancy feed Child A when he did not want to be fed. She has addressed her concerns with Nancy before, but she felt like Nancy had ignored her comments.
Corrective Measures
Corrective MeasureCompleted (Y/N)Completed Date
The facility shall notify all caregivers (paid employees and paid or unpaid volunteers) of the violations which were substantiated and specify the actions to be taken by all caregivers, in order to comply with all violations cited. A copy of the memo, letter, or meeting agenda shall be submitted to the Office of Childhood. Y 5/1/2024 12:00:00 AM
Disposition
SUBSTANTIATED
Disposition Date
4/17/2024 12:00:00 AM
Approving Supervisor
FOX, ROMENA