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On March 18, 2024, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that Child A (17-months-old), was bitten many times by the same child at the Peanuts Gang Learning Center, Incorporated and then was bitten by a different child and the staff didn't intervene. 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)11., which states the following: "Children shall not be permitted to intimidate or harm others, harm themselves, or destroy property."
On March 19, 2024, CI O'Malley conducted an unannounced inspection of the facility and observed incident reports for Child A dated October 3, 2023, November 8, 2023, and February 8, 2024.
CI O'Malley conducted interviews with lead teacher Heather McGhy, teachers Kailey Gillespie, April Robnett, and Mary Andes. Ms. McGhy stated that Child A was bitten several times by Child B (19-months-old) between October 2023 and February 2024. Child B was transferred to another classroom on November 8, 2023. Child A's class and Child B's class regularly combined while outside and at the end of the day. On February 8, 2024, Child A and Child B's classes were combined on the outside play area. Child B pushed Child A down and Child B bit Child A just above the left eye. Child A and Child B were separated, and Child A was brought inside for treatment. Parent A (parent of Child A) was contacted. Child B was known to bite other children, but this was the first time they drew blood. Ms. McGhy was unable to articulate a plan that was currently in place to prevent Child A from being bitten or to prevent Child B from biting. Child B was the only child to bite Child A.
Ms. Gillespie stated that on February 8, 2024, Child A and Child B's classes were combined on the outside play area. Child B pushed Child A down and Child B bit Child A just above the left eye. Child A and Child B were immediately separated, and Child A was brought inside for treatment. Child B was known to bite other children.
Ms. Robnett stated that she did not observe the incident. Ms. Robnett heard Child A crying and saw a red scratch above Child A's right eye; Child B was lying on top of Child A. Ms. Robnett separated the children and Child A was taken inside for care. Child B was known to bite other children.
Ms. Andes stated that she did not observe the incident. Ms. Andes heard Child A crying and saw a red scratch above Child A's eye; Child B was lying on top of Child A. The children were separated, and Child A was taken inside for care. Child B was known to bite other children.
On April 9, 2024, CI O'Malley conducted a phone interview with Parent A, who stated that Child A was bitten twice on October 3, 2023; once on October 18, 2024; Child A was bitten once on November 8, 2024; and Child A was bitten once on February 8, 2024. They disenrolled Child A from the facility on February 8, 2024.
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