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On July 22, 2024, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging that there are concerns of lack of supervision for a 5-year-old child. A stranger contacted the school about whether the school was missing a child. It`s unclear how long the child was left outside at this time, but they were found out on the playground. After conducting the investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Cole Eddins finds the allegation is substantiated. This conclusion is based on the following evidence of licensing rule violations which occurred at the facility:
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)1. which states: "Caregivers shall not leave any child without competent supervision."
and
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)3. which states: "Caregivers shall provide frequent, direct contact so children are not left unobserved on the premises."
On July 24, 2024, CI Eddins conducted an unannounced inspection and interviewed Managing Member Meighan Peifer, Director Sharon Hansen, Caregiver Yughonda Dotson, Caregiver Demi Banks, Caregiver Tanya Colley, and Inspector Micheal Haul. All staff members provided consistent information. All staff members stated that Child A was left outside alone on the playground on July 19, 2024. Sharon Hansen and Meighan Peifer stated that they observed the video footage of Child A wandering around the playground alone for around five to eight minutes. Child A was discovered by an unknown male who informed a security guard about the incident with Child A. Child A was brought back inside the facility by Tanya Colley. A proper name-to-face count was not conducted by Caregiver Melissa Hutcherson, who was in charge of supervising Child A at the time of the incident.
On July 24, 2024, CI Eddins conducted a walkthrough of the facility and observed three accident reports that were dated on July 19, 2024, that stated that Child A was left outside alone on the playground. CI Eddins observed the transition policy which stated that a face-to-face attendance must be taken before leaving a classroom and before leaving the outside playground.
On July 24, 2024, CI Eddins reviewed footage from July 19, 2024, in the security room at Richard Bolling Federal Building. The video footage observed was not the property of the daycare facility. At 4:45:45 p.m., Child A and her classmates can be observed lining up on the wall of the facility by the outside entrance door. At 4:46:05 p.m. the outside door was opened by another child at the beginning of the line. Child A's class walked into the facility and a proper name-to-face count was not conducted. The door was closed, and Child A was shut outside at 4:47:40 p.m. Child A can be observed banging on the door at 4:47:54 p.m. Child A ran to the gate and spoke with an unknown male who called for a security guard at 4:51:09 p.m. The playground door was opened by Caregiver Tanya Colley at 4:53:10 p.m. At 4:53:37 p.m. Child A walks inside the facility with Tanya Colley.
On August 22, 2024, CI Eddins interviewed Parent A (Parent of Child A), Parent B (Parent of Child B), Parent C (Dating Parent B), and Parent D. CI Eddins attempted to interview Melissa Hutcherson. CI Eddins left a message but did not receive a return call. Parent A, Parent B, and Parent C stated that Child A was left outside alone on the playground on July 19, 2024. Parent D stated that he heard that a child was left outside on the playground.
On August 27, 2024, CI Eddins attempted to interview Melissa Hutcherson. CI Eddins was unable to leave a message as the number was disconnected.
On September 11, 2024, CI Eddins attempted to interview Child A. CI Eddins left a message.
On September 13, 2024, CI Eddins interviewed Child A. Child A remembered being alone outside on the playground. Child A was unable to answer any further questions.
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