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Compliance Inspector Jessica Graham investigated an allegation that an unknown child (age 2 to 3-years-old), was found unattended on the shoulder of US Highway 61. It is unknown for how long the child was alone. Other children at the facility were also found outside unsupervised. This allegation is substantiated based on the following rule violations.
5 CSR 25-500.102(1)(E) which states: "Caregivers shall have knowledge of the needs of children and shall be sensitive to the capabilities, interests, and problems of children in care."
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5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)1. which states: "Caregivers shall not leave any child without competent supervision."
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5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)3., which states: "Caregivers shall provide frequent, direct contact so children are not left unobserved on the premises."
On February 13, 2024, sometime between 9:45am and 10:15am, Tamra Henson, witness, was traveling North on Highway 61 in Bloomsdale, MO, past Wee World Learning Center, LLC to Mid America Rehab Center located next door. When passing, Tamra noticed a male child close to the highway between the daycare and the rehab center. The child was wrapped in a blanket and was standing next to the road in the dirt, just a few steps from the highway, with no adult in site. Tamra got out of her vehicle, grabbed the child and took him next door to the daycare, assuming that is where he had come from. As Tamra got closer to the daycare, she heard someone from behind the fence on the playground say "Oh, we found him!". She took the child to the fence and handed him to the teacher that was outside on the playground. Tamra then went to the door of the daycare and told the person that answered the door that she had found the child on the side of the road and it had upset her.
On February 14, 2024, caregiver Brittanie Stewart stated that she was outside with her class of 3-years-old, including Child A. There were a total of 20 children outside, ages 3-years-old to 4-years-old with Brittanie and coworker Allyissa Grissom. The children were on the preschool side of the playground. Brittanie said that between the two classes, there are a total of four children, including Child A, that require special attention. They will do random head counts to make sure that those children are seen. During one of these head counts is when they noticed that Child A was missing. It was around 10:00am that she remembers doing the head count. They called over for another teacher to come to their side of the playground so they could go look for Child A. Her and Allyissa jumped the fence to go look for Child A. They looked for him for more than five minutes but less than ten minutes. As they were running and looking for Child A, the teachers still on the playground called them back saying that they had Child A. Child A is non verbal and is known to climb the fence. He has climbed the fence in the past at least four times and has gotten over the fence a few times. He likes to throw his blanket over the fence and then climb the fence to go over and get his blanket. His parents have been told about him climbing the fences in the past.
Allyissa Grissom, caregiver, said that she noticed that Child A was missing while doing a head count. She looked around the playground for him and then in the slide because he likes to hide in there with his blanket. After not finding him she called for another caregiver to watch her class so her and Brittanie could go look for him. They both hopped the fence and took off looking for Child A. This was probably around 10:05am. Child A has hopped over the fence before so she looked along the sides of the fence first. She didn't see him and went back over the fence. Shelby, caregiver, then said that she had Child A and handed him to her. She has had to hop the fence about five times before to get Child A. Normally he will climb the fence and just stay in the grass. She will have to chase him to get him.
Shelby Noll, caregiver, was the one that Child A was returned to. She was outside with her 2-year-old class, and she saw a car pull up. A woman then walked down to her and handed her Child A. He had his blanket with him and he looked fine. The woman said that she found him on the side of the road. She yelled at Allyissa to tell her that she had Child A. He has jumped the fence a few times before. He didn't go far but he is fast.
Randi Pyatt, caregiver, had just got to work and walked out to the playground. Allyissa asked her to step over to watch her kids because she had to go look for Child A. Allyissa was gone maybe minute and then a lady came walking down the hill with Child A and gave him to Shelby. Child A has jumped the fence before, but usually has his blanket with him and it will get stuck on the fence before he can get away.
Regan Wengert, director, was inside when the incident happened. Shelby came inside and told her what had happened after the lady brought Child A to her. Child A has jumped the fence before and she has discussed this concern with Parent A. Child A will throw his blanket over the fence and then will jump over the fence to get it. She talked to Parent A within the past couple of weeks about Child A climbing the fence. This is a newer behavior for Child A since he started attending the facility. She does not have any documentation of the conversations with Parent A concerning Child A going over the fence.
Caregivers Allyissa Grissom, Brittanie Stewart and director Regan Wengert all agreed that preschool age children (ages 3-years-old to 5-years-old) have been placed over the fence by the caregiver to retrieve toys. The caregivers will lift the child outside of the fenced in playground to allow the child to collect toys that have gone over fence. The child will be over the fence without adult supervision. Once they have retrieved the item then a caregiver will lift them back over the fence into the approved playground space. Brittanie stated that on February 13, 2024, Child B (age 4-years-old), was put over the fence to pick up some toys.
On February 15, 2024, Parent A (Parent of Child A), stated that she was never made aware of Child A getting over the fence until Tuesday, February 13. She had been told that he was throwing his blanket over the fence and trying to go get it, but never was told hat he actually went over the fence. Regan called her at 10:14am and said that there was an incident that occurred with Child A getting over the fence. She said that someone driving by the one that actually found him.
5 CSR 25-500.082(6)(A)1. which states: "A fenced outdoor play area shall be available on or adjoining the day care property. The play area shall be located so it is convenient and the children can gain access to it without hazard. For facilities initially licensed after the effective date of these rules or for the installation of new fences in existing facilities, the fence shall be at least forty-two inches (42") high. An outdoor play area used exclusively for school-age children shall not be required to have a fence. Fences shall be constructed to prevent children from crawling or falling through or becoming entrapped."
On February 14, 2024, CI Graham measured the fence along the perimeter of the preschool playground. The fence along the North side of the building facing Mid America Rehab located next door was only measuring at 40" high. This was discussed with director Regan Wengert.
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)2. which states: "A caregiver personally shall admit each child upon arrival and personally shall dismiss each child upon departure. Children shall be dismissed only to the parent(s) , guardian, legal custodian, or to individuals approved by the parent(s) , guardian, or legal custodian."
On February 15, 2024, Parent A stated that Child A's father picked up Child A from the playground on February 14, 2024 and no one asked for any identification from him. Child A's father had not picked up Child A from the facility and none of the caregivers would have know who he was. In June, 2023, Child A's grandparent picked up Child A from the facility and she was not asked for identification at that time. This was the first time that Child A's grandparent had picked up Child A and no one would have known who she was.
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