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Compliance Inspector (CI) Jessica Graham investigated the allegation that on June 28, 2024, at approximately 11:50am, Teacher Christine Duguette pulled on Child A 's (3-years-old) sleeve. This caused him to become unstable and he hit his mouth on the table. Child A's parent had been watching the live feed online and saw this and notified the facility of the concern. The facility reviewed the footage and confirmed the incident. Child A left the daycare with no known injuries, however, his parent called the daycare later and said he has a mark on his upper lip. This allegation is substantiated based on the following rule violations.
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)3., which states: "Only constructive, age-appropriate methods of discipline shall be used to help children develop self-control and assume responsibility for their own actions."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)7., which states: "Physical punishment including, but not limited to, spanking, slapping, shaking, biting, or pulling hair shall be prohibited."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.192(5)(A)., which states: "In case of accident or injury to a child, the provider shall notify the parent(s) immediately. If the child requires emergency medical care, the provider shall follow the parent's(s') written instructions."
On July 2, 2024, Parent A stated that she was watching live camera footage while working on June 28, 2024 and noticed that Tina, caregiver, appeared to have a short fuse. She saw Tina grab Child A by the arm and shoulder and jerked him by the arm. She then held his forehead and wiped his face and put him on the mat on the floor. Child A was crying during this interaction. She texted Parent B immediately and he went and picked up Child A from the center. Child A fell asleep with his pacifier in his mouth and napped once getting home. When we woke Parent B noticed that Child A had blood around his mouth and an injury on his lip.
On July 2, 2024, Melissa Warren said that Parent A called the center to report the incident. She pulled camera footage and confirmed that the interaction between Tina and Child A was inappropriate. Tina was put on administrative leave that moment. She asked Tina about the incident and she said that Child A bumped his mouth on the table but never said anything about an injury. No other caregivers were present to witness the incident. No children in the room were old enough to interview. Tina did not address the situation with anyone until she was confronted about it after Parent A had called.
Christine "Tina" Duguette refused to participate in any interviews.
On July 2, 2024, CI Graham reviewed video footage from June 28, 2024 with Child A and caregiver Tina. There were a total of eight children present in the class at the time and everyone was seated at the table for meal time.
Child A is sitting next to another child and is pulling on that child's shirt. Tina grabs Child A aggressively by the left arm. She held his forehead with her hand and wipes his face and hands. After releasing his head, Child A hits his mouth on the corner of the table. He starts crying immediately. Tina is holding the wipe on his mouth for a while and when she removes red substance could be seen on the wipe. She sits Child A down on the mat and wipes his face twice more, still seeing red on the wipe. No first aid appeared to be given to Child A.
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