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On April 22, 2024 the Office of Childhood received a report alleging "On April 4, 2024 at 10:13 a.m. Director Rhonda Anderson was standing over Child A (2 years old), telling him repeatedly not to tell her no. Child A was crying for his parent. They heard a smacking sound like a head hit the wall. Rhonda was seen holding Child A's hands down." After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Caylin Mertz has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence and rule violations:
RSMo 210.254.2. which states "The notice of parental responsibility shall include the following: (5) "The disciplinary philosophy and policies of the child-care facility; and"
On April 25, 2024 CI Caylin Mertz conducted an unannounced inspection at the facility. A walkthrough was also conducted. CI Mertz interviewed Assistant Director Karrie Brown, Caregiver Caroline Wolfe, Caregiver Mackenzie Chastain, Caregiver Shanna Lynch, Child A (2 years old) and Child B (5 years old). Assistant Director Karrie was not present on the date of the incident. Caregiver Caroline indicated on the date of the incident Child A was being very aggressive with other kids. Rhonda brought him to the office and she does not recall how long Child A was gone. Caregiver Mackenzie indicated she saw Child A on April 4, 2024. When she got into the office Child A was asleep on the floor. She took him back to class around 2:30 p.m. She indicated she has observed Rhonda to yell at children in the office. She yells things such as "why are you doing that? that's not a good choice." She has observed Rhonda to crouch in front of children and hold their wrists so they cannot move. Child A is not verbal and could not provide any information. Child B indicated you go to Ms. Rhonda's office if you are bad.
On April 25, 2024, CI Caylin Mertz observed the facility's Notice of Parental Responsibility (NPR). The section for facility discipline and educational philosophy/policies states "See Attached". CI Caylin Mertz observed the facility's discipline policy, which states "In no instance will physical or verbal punishment be encouraged, allowed, or tolerated." It indicates that natural consequences and redirection should be used. The policy states "As a last resort, the child may be asked to sit quietly for a brief period away from the activity and stimulation of the other children. The child will remain in the classroom and will never be left unattended at any time."
On June 17, 2024, CI Mertz interviewed Parent A, who provided no relevant information.
On June 18, 2024, CI Mertz interviewed Parent C. She indicated on April 4, 2024 she was in the main office lobby when she heard Child A screaming "mama mama mama" from Director Rhonda's office. She heard Rhonda repeating to Child A "you don't tell me no." She heard a noise that sounded like a slap; she then walked into Rhonda's office to see what was going on. When she walked into Rhonda's office, she saw Rhonda holding both of Child A's hands in his lap with one hand and she was pointing at him with her other hand. She observed Child A's face to be red but was unsure if the redness was caused by Child A crying or what she thought she heard to be a slap. She stated Child A was crying pretty hard.
On June 18, 2024, CI Mertz interviewed Director Rhonda Anderson. She stated that when Child A was in her office he was hitting and kicking her as well as attempting to run away. She stated he came into her office around 10:20 a.m. She stated he was crying and wanted to get up. When asked why a child would be separated from his class for over four hours for discipline, Rhonda indicated it was not all for discipline and that Child A had fallen asleep in the office after crying for some time.
CI Mertz observed video footage dated April 4, 2024. At 10:11 a.m. Director Rhonda leaves the main office. She returns at 10:12 a.m. with Child A. Rhonda is holding Child A's right hand with her right hand. Child A appears to be following Rhonda willingly. She lifts Child A up and places him in a chair in her office and walks around her desk before being seated. Neither Child A nor Rhonda are viewable on camera due to the camera angle. At 10:15 a.m. Parent C arrives and knocks on the door. Rhonda reenters camera view when she walks through her office and allows Parent C to access the building. Child A gets up and stands in the doorway of Rhonda's office. Parent C walks through the entry way with her child and turns down the hall exiting camera view. Rhonda turns around and walks to the doorway of her office. She stands over Child A while pointing towards a chair in the corner. Child A's hands are out in front of him. Rhonda walks Child A to the chair and begins to back away. She leans over where Child A is sitting. The top half of her body is not viewable on camera nor is Child A. at 10:16 a.m. Parent C walks back in the main office. She stops at the desk and watches Rhonda interacting with Child A. At 10:17 a.m. she walks into Rhonda's office and looks at Rhonda and Child A. Rhonda is still leaning over Child A's body. At 10:18 a.m. Rhonda leaves her office and Parent C goes to the exit door. Child A is still not viewable on camera and does not come to the doorway. Rhonda stands behind the main office desk and talks with Parent C until 10:20 a.m. Rhonda walks back in her office and points towards Child A. She walks back over to where Child A is sitting for a moment and then stands at her office door talking to Child A before walking behind her desk and being seated. Rhonda and Child A are not viewable on camera. At 10:24 a.m. Child A's shoe is visible on the chair in the office. Rhonda is still seated at her desk. Child A is sitting in the chair calmly looking out Rhonda's office door swinging his legs periodically. At 10:26 a.m. Child A is observed sitting still in the office chair. At 10:27 a.m. another family comes to the door and Rhonda gets up from her desk, and grants them access to the building. Child B stands outside the office door looking in at Child A and Rhonda. Child A is still seated in the chair. Rhonda has taken as seat at her desk. Another caregiver enters the frame and stands at the desk and talks to Rhonda until the video ends at 10:30 a.m.
Video footage observed by CI Mertz was recorded by Caregiver Mackenzie Chastain on April 16, 2024. The audio during the video is from that time. Assistant Director Karrie Brown can be heard talking to an unknown child in the office stating, "right now your room is in here and you're supposed to be quiet." She also repeatedly tells the child to "zip it."
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