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On March 18, 2024, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that on December 22, 2023, Community Child Care Center, Inc. teacher Kristina Anders placed a blanket and her hand over Child A's (2-years-old) mouth. On an unknown date, Ms. Anders wrapped her legs around Child A's legs to restrain them on their cot. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Patrick O'Malley has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence:
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)7., which states the following: "Physical punishment including, but not limited to, spanking, slapping, shaking, biting, or pulling hair shall be prohibited."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)8., which states the following: "No discipline technique which is humiliating, threatening, or frightening to children shall be used. Children shall not be shamed, ridiculed, or spoken to harshly, abusively, or with profanity."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)9., which states the following: "Punishment or threat of punishment shall not be associated with food, rest, or toilet training."
On March 18, 2024, CI O'Malley conducted an unannounced inspection of the facility and conducted an interview with teacher Kristina Anders. Ms. Anders stated that Child A (age 2-years-old), had behavioral challenges and did not like to nap. Naptime began at 12:30 p.m. and Child A usually cried and yelled when asked to lie down. Ms. Anders affirmed that she held a blanket over Child A's mouth with her hand on multiple occasions to prevent Child A from making noise during naptime. Ms. Anders never covered Child A's nose and Child A could always breathe. Ms. Anders did not recall how many times she had covered Child A's mouth or on which days. Ms. Anders affirmed that she draped both of her legs over both of Child A's legs on multiple occasions to prevent Child A from kicking. Child A was lying on their cot, kicking their legs against the cot frame. Child A was not attempting to hurt themselves or anyone else. Ms. Anders restrained Child A to prevent Child A from making noise at naptime. Ms. Anders did not recall how many times she restrained Child A's legs or on which days.
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