|
On July 18, 2024, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that Child A (age 8-years-old), was thrown across the floor by a staff member named Ms. Chery and hit his head. Staff then allowed Child A to sleep and nap all day after being thrown across the room. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Jade Stewart-Martin has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence:
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 19, 2024, Compliance Inspector (CI) Jade Stewart-Martin conducted an unannounced inspection and interviewed chief operating officer Yonnick Jones and teachers: B'Aunce Carter and Cherell Lewis. Child C (age 11-years-old), Child D (age 8-years-old), and Child E(age 13-years-old) were also interviewed. The incident that occurred with Child A (age 8-years-old) and Cherell Lewis occurred on June 13, 2024. On this date Ms. Lewis reported that Child A and Child C were play fighting with her. Child A was hitting her arms and went to grab her. Ms. Lewis had a reaction and stepped back and using the back of her hands, pushed him. Child A was not wearing shoes causing him to fall backwards and hit the back of his head on the step to the stage in the room. Ms. Lewis stated that Child A then stated that he had a headache and went to sleep a short time later and remained asleep for an hour or two. She then contacted Parent A through the Brightwheel App later in the day and stated that Child A had a headache and was sleeping all day. Ms. Lewis stated that she went and told Yonnick Jones about the incident with Child A hitting his head. Ms. Lewis stated that Yonnick Jones went to the classroom and took Child A to the front, and she did not see him for the rest of the day. Ms. Lewis stated that Child A never returned to the classroom and that Yonnick Jones took him to the hospital. Ms. Lewis stated that she didn't call Parent A or fill out an incident report because she didn't know how or that she needed to. Ms. Lewis did state that she feels as if she caused the injury to Child A's head. She did send Parent A (parent of Child A and Child B) a message in Brightwheel stating that Child A had a migraine and had been sleeping all day. Mr. Jones stated that on June 21, 2024, Child A and Child B came to his office stating that Child A had a headache. Mr. Jones stated that he had a teacher named Ms. Chioma sit with Child A in the front on the couch and then they transferred Child A to a multipurpose room and let him sleep on a couch. He did tell Ms. Chioma to try and contact Parent A. He was never told by Ms. Sherell or Child A that Child A hit his head, or he would have never let Child A sleep. On June 21, 2024, Parent A came to Mr. Jones asking about what happened with Child A and Cherell Lewis. Mr. Jones had a conversation with Cherell Lewis, this is when Cherell Lewis told him what occurred on June 13, 2024, between her and Child A. He made Cherell Lewis fill out an incident report and gave her a verbal warning for not telling him about the incident and not filling out an incident report. On June 21, 2024, he told Parent A what occurred and gave her the incident report that she signed. There were no other teachers in the classroom on June 13, 2024, when the incident between Cherell Lewis and Child A occurred. Child C (age 11-years-old) stated that he witnessed the incident between Child A and Cherell Lewis. Child C stated that Cherell Lewis was chasing Child A around and pushed him with a forceful open hand causing him to fall on a sharp corner. Child C stated that one time Cherell Lewis grabbed him by the shirt and then pushed him causing him to fall and hit his head and funny bone. Child C stated that he has seen Cherell Lewis hit other students on the arm, grab their shirts, and yell in their faces. Child D (age 8-years-old) stated that he did not witness the incident on June 13, 2024, but he has seen Cherell Lewis hit some kids with an open hand. Child E (age 13-years-old) was not present when the incident occurred with Child A and Cherell Lewis. Child E stated that she had never see her teachers hit children. Child E was not present when the incident occurred with Child A and Cherell Lewis. The facility does not have cameras, so CI Stewart-Martin was unable to review any footage from June 13, 2024. After interviewing the children Mr. Jones was re interviewed by CI Stewart-Martin. Mr. Jones stated that he was going to suspend Cherell Lewis for a week and get her more training. Mr. Jones still need to consult with owner David Williams about next steps. Child A and Child B's last day at the center was July 17, 2024.
On July 19, 2024, CI Stewart-Martin observed Child A, Child B, Child C, Child D, and Child E's enrollment form. The message sent by Cherell Thomas to Parent A on June 13, 2024, via Brightwheel, was observed. The incident report filled out on June 21, 2024, regarding the incident that occurred between Cherell Thomas and Child A on June 13, 2024, was also observed.
On July 22, 2024, CI Stewart-Martin attempted to contact Parent A, but was unsuccessful.
On July 24, 2024, CI Stewart-Martin conducted a phone interview with chief operating officer Yonnick Jones and teacher Chioma Cheke. Mr. Jones stated that he had not put Cherell Lewis on leave yet, but she had training with him on Sunday, July 21, 2024. Ms. Cheke stated that she sat with Child A on June 13, 2024. Ms. Cheke stated that she attempted to call Parent A (parent of Child A and Child B) twice, she did not answer either time. Neither Child A nor Child B told her that Child A hit his head.
On August 1, 2024, CI Stewart-Martin observed Yonnick Jones' " Suggested Action Plan for Cherell Lewis". The stipulations are as follows: Four days suspension without pay, and Completion of 12 clock hours by August 15, 2024. An assigned supervisor for her classroom. Three in-person trainings about health and safety of youth. The action plan also stated that her final day of work will be August 16, 2024, due to her returning back to college on August 19, 2024.
On August 14, 2024, CI Stewart-Martin emailed Yonnick Jones asking if he would have Cherell Lewis back as an employee and he stated that he would not.
On September 13, 2024, CI Stewart-Martin attempted to contact Parent A (parent of Child A and Child B) but was unsuccessful. Child A and Child B no longer attend the center so therefore they could not be interviewed since Parent A did not return the call.
|