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On May 23, 2024, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a complaint alleging that on May 23, 2024, a caregiver, who is also a grandparent, pulled Child A's (4 years old) arm to take him to his classroom. The child was upset and sitting alone. The caregiver and grandparent said Child A was probably mad at her because she told him he better not bite her grandson or any of the other children again. The caregiver and grandparent has handled other children like this and is known for being mean to the other children who attend the facility. CI Radney conducted an investigation and found the allegation to be substantiated based on the following information:
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)8. - 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)3. - Only constructive, age-appropriate methods of discipline shall be used to help children develop self-control and assume responsibility for their own actions.
On May 31, 2024, CI Radney conducted interviews with Brennah Collins, Peggy Summers, Dorene Wages, Kathleen Cleaves, Child A, Child B, Child C, Child D and Child E. Brennah reported she and Dorene were downstairs when Grandparent B, who is also a caregiver, brought Child A downstairs. Child A had got in trouble on May 22, 2024 with Peggy for biting. Peggy told her that Grandparent B came in and got on to Child A and yelled in his face for biting. On May 23, 2024, Grandparent B brought Child A downstairs, squeezing his arm so much that they coloring in her hands was white. She sat Child A on the carpet. She went to Child A and said "what's wrong?" and Child A did not say anything. She asked if he was okay and he said "no." From across the room, Grandparent B said "He's probably mad at me because I told him not to bite my grandson or any other kids today." Grandparent B's voice was aggressive, hateful and loud enough for everyone to hear. Child A completely shut down. It took him multiple times of other teachers telling him he could get up and go play before he finally did get up. Even after he got up, the way he was acting was not normal. Child A was pouting but not crying. She feels like Grandparent B's intention was to scare or intimidate or humiliate Child A. Grandparent B is intimidating to children; sometimes they cower or jump at her voice. Kids always listen to what she says. She believes that Grandparent B is trying to discipline children but it is done out of fear.
Kathleen reported Grandparent B can be intimidating to children but that's just her demeanor. Dorene reported Grandparent B's voice is firm and she would have felt intimidated by her tone if she was a child. Dorene also reported Grandparent B tends to reinforce discipline with kids after they've already been disciplined by another teacher. On May 22, 2024, Child A bit someone in her class. Peggy reported on May 22, 2024, she put Child A in time out. Later that day, Grandparent B got in his face and said "Don't ever bite my grandson again." It scared Child A. He was sitting and turned around to face the wall and clammed up. The rest of that day he played quietly by himself when he usually plays with other kids. Grandparent B has a rough, angry voice and it appeared her intention was to scare Child A. Child B reported Grandparent B is mean. Child E reported Grandparent B gets mad and angry. Grandparent B yells "You have to sit up front" and it makes her feel mad. Sometimes it makes her sad or scared. She is usually just sad when Grandparent B yells at her.
On July 26, 2024, CI Radney attempted to reach Parent A. A voicemail was left but no return call was received.
Grandparent B used a discipline technique that was not age-appropriate when she disciplined children after they've already been disciplined. It is neither constructive nor age-appropriate to go back to a child a second and third tome to verbally warn or threaten a 4-year-old child that they had "better not" or not to "ever bite again." Additionally, children are spoken harshly to by Grandparent B when she yells at them.
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