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On May 1, 2024, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that staff member Margaret Ebeling brought cookies into the facility that had marijuana in them. Staff members ate the cookies while working with children and the cookies were left in reach of the children in the classroom. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Ian Fyfe has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence:
5 CSR 25-500.102(1)(G), which states that: "Caregivers, directors, other personnel, or volunteers shall not be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, while on the premises or in any vehicles used by the program. These individuals shall not be in a state of impaired ability due to use of medication while on the premises."
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5 CSR 25-500.082(1)(I), which states that: "All flammable liquids, matches, cleaning supplies, poisonous materials, medicines, alcoholic beverages, hazardous personal care items or other hazardous items shall be inaccessible to children."
On May 2, 2024, Compliance Inspector (CI) Patrick O'Malley conducted an unannounced inspection to Cadence Academy Preschool, Chesterfield. CI O'Malley interviewed multiple staff members regarding the reported concerns and obtained several documents from the facility. The investigation was re-assigned to CI Ian Fyfe on May 7, 2024.
On May 9, 2024, Compliance Inspector (CI) Ian Fyfe conducted an unannounced inspection to Cadence Academy Preschool, Chesterfield and interviewed staff members Bridget Ryan, Rachel Johnson, Megan Crouse, Maria Touktil, and Margaret Pierie. CI Fyfe also interviewed Parent A (parent of Child A), who is the facility's Executive Administrator. All staff members provided consistent information regarding the reported concerns. On April 29, 2024, Ms. Maggie [Margaret Ebeling] brought in two bags of homemade cookies to the facility. The cookies were present at the facility on April 29, 2024 from 7:48 AM to 6:00 PM. There were children that were in reach of the cookies during the day on April 29, 2024, however no children ingested any of the cookies. Children walked by the counter where the cookies were kept as they transitioned to other areas. No children attempted to reach for the cookies as they walked by them. Various staff members took and ate cookies from one of the bags until the bag was empty. Staff members proceeded to take and eat cookies from the second bag. The staff members that ate cookies from the second bag began experiencing shared symptoms such as feeling dizzy, feeling light-headed, and an increased heartrate around 2:00 PM. Two of the staff members, Ms. Ryan and Ms. Johnson, were hospitalized as a result. Ms. Johnson tested positive for cannabinoids while she was being treated at a local hospital. An internal investigation conducted by Parent A found that the cookies brought in by Ms. Maggie contained marijuana and were causing the four staff members to feel sick. Parent A and Regional Manager Ben Engle confronted Ms. Maggie upon learning that the cookies contained marijuana, but she denied bringing the cookies to the facility. Ms. Maggie was sent to participate in a drug screen but resigned from her position shortly after being sent to take the screening. Only one child, Child A (4-years-old), was given a cookie. Ms. Pierie provided the cookie to Child A and grabbed one for herself as well. Both cookies were grabbed from the same bag and appeared to be free of marijuana. Neither Ms. Pierie nor Child A exhibited any behaviors that would suggest he ingested a cookie containing marijuana. The facility held a safety meeting on May 7, 2024, to discuss the topic of staff members bringing in outside food and implemented a new policy that no outside food is allowed in the facility. All of the staff who ingested the cookies with marijuana were over 21 years of age.
On May 14, 2024, CI Fyfe attempted to interview Ms. Maggie [Margaret Ebeling] via phone call but was unsuccessful. Ms. Maggie's phone number had either been changed, disconnected, or was no longer in service at the time of the attempt.
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