| Conclusion Summary |
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Compliance Inspector (CI) Jessica Graham investigated the allegation that Jaimie Medlock, director, is seen on camera shoving Child A down and dragging him by his arm after he attempted to hit another child. This allegation is substantiated based on the following rule violations:
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)2. which states: "Expectations for a child's behavior shall be appropriate for the developmental level of that child."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)3. which states: "Only constructive, age-appropriate methods of discipline shall be used to help children develop self-control and assume responsibility for their own actions."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)7. which state: "Physical punishment including, but not limited to, spanking, slapping, shaking, biting, or pulling hair shall be prohibited."
On March 5, 2024, Kyhra Dipprey, caregiver, said that she was informed by Parent A that Child A was shoved by director Jaimie Medlock. This incident was witnessed by Daniel Barbier, therapist, that was at the facility working with another child. Kyhra reviewed the video footage and then had a meeting with Parent A and Parent B, showing them the footage. Jaimie was seen on the footage pushing Child A down on his bottom onto a pillow. Child A is non-verbal and autistic. He does have aggressive behaviors. They use separation with him to prevent him from hurting the other children. Child A has a therapist that works with him while he is at the center, but she was out that day. Jaimie was terminated that evening.
Madison Govero, caregiver, was in the classroom with Jaimie and Child A. Child A had tried smacking another child and the therapist working in the room tried to stop him. Madison grabbed Child A and was holding him when Jaimie came over and took him from her. Child A was fighting Jaimie. She put him in the reading center so he wouldn't go hurt anyone else. Child A was trying to get out of the reading center but she was keeping him there by blocking him. She could not tell what Jaimie was doing with Child A while he was in the reading center because she was on the other side of the classroom.
Ashley Moses, caregiver, was working in the toddler classroom and could tell that Jaimie was stressed out. She could see through the window that she was having issues with Child A so she asked if she needed any help. Jaime said no so she went back to her classroom. She saw Child A when talking to Jaimie and he was laying on the pillows kicking and screaming and crying. Jaimie was standing at the reading center in front of him.
On March 5, 2024, CI Graham observed video footage that was recorded on Khyra Dipprey's phone from the computer. There are five recorded clips showing around one minute of time per clip. The following was observed:
On March 5, 2024, CI Graham observed video footage that was recorded on Khyra Dipprey's phone. The following as observed:
Clip 1 (1:01 recorded time)
-Child A is playing alone at a table.
-All the children are gathered in the back of the room at tables.
-Child A takes off running towards the back of the room and smacks at a child sitting at the table.
-Madison, caregiver, holds Child A around his waist pulling him away from the table.
-Madison is walking with Child A and Jaimie Medlock, director, comes over and takes Child A.
-She is holding Child A by the wrist and looks at a child's head at the table.
-Jaimie then walks Child A by the wrist towards the back of the room.
Clip 2 (1:18 recorded time):
-Jaimie leads Child A to the reading center.
-It is unclear if Child A is pushed down or sits down on his own.
-Jaimie walks away from the reading center a few steps.
-Child A sits up and then stands up at the edge of the reading center.
-Jaimie walks towards Child A and pushes him down on the pillows using both hands.
-Child A lands on his butt on the pillows.
-Jaimie stands next to the reading area by Child A.
-Child A is laying down on the pillows.
-Jaimie is yelling at the children across the room saying "if you think you can get up and go play quietly, if not we are coming right back and putting our heads down".
-Jaimie yells something else but the audio is not clear.
-Crying is heard on audio, but not clear on who it is.
-Child A stands up and Jaimie is standing in front of him, hands on hips, moving around to block him.
-Jaimie uses her body to prevent him from leaving the area.
Clip 3 (1:10 recorded time)
-Child A walks out of the reading area and Jaimie follows beside him.
-Jaimie grabs Child A by the right bicep and swings him around to walk back towards the reading center.
-Jaimie leads him to the pillows and he lays down.
-Crying is heard again.
-Child A stands up and tries to leave.
-Jaimie stops him with her hand and leads him back to the pillows, where he lays back down.
-Child A picks up a pillow and throws it.
-He lays on the pillows crying.
-Jaimie talks to another caregiver that walks through the room.
-Child A gets up on his knees and is communicating with Jaimie.
Clip 4 (1:15 recorded time)
-Child A walks out of the reading area and Jaimie is beside him.
-He walks over to a shelf where some children are working and pushes a boy standing at the shelf.
-Jaimie says "nope, you don't" (then the audio is unclear) and grabs Child A by the right bicep.
-Child A falls to the floor and Jaimie is picking him up (unclear due to therapist in viewing area).
-Jaimie carries Child A by his right wrist and left bicep to the reading area.
-She sets him down on the pillows.
-Child A throws a pillow at Jaimie.
-Jaimie is standing in front of Child A, blocking him from leaving.
-Child A tries to stand up and leave and Jaimie grabs Child A and sits him back down on the pillows.
-Ashley, caregiver, opens her classroom door and is talking with Jaimie.
Clip 5 (0:52 recorded time)
-Child A gets up and Jaimie holds him around his chest with her arm.
-She leads him away from the reading center and then she goes to the shelf where other children are playing.
-She gets a book for Child A at that self and then he plays there.
-Child A is wiping at his face.
-Child A walks off holding the book and goes to the reading center.
*end of footage
Jaimie Medlock, director, said that she never pushed or shoved Child A . He did fall on the pillows while he was throwing a fit. Child A will go after random kids if they have something that he wants and he will hurt them. She was trying to prevent him from smacking a child so she took him to the reading center to sit down. He would get up and take off running and once tripped over some pillows.
CI Graham attempted to contact Daniel Barber on March 7, 2024, but no return call was ever made.
Parent A was called on March 7, 2024 and March 18, 2024. No contact was ever made.
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