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On August 19, 2024, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that Child A (2-years-old), had left to go to school at the Fort Zumwalt Early Childhood Center. The reported explained to Ms Heather that since Child A was only 2-years-old he could not be enrolled in the program yet. Ms Heather stated that the van driver asked for the child by name so they released the child. It is unknown Child A's whereabouts at this time. It is unknown if the parents have been notified that Child A was released from the daycare to the van driver. After conducting an investigation Compliance Inspector Supervisor (CIS) Marla Chrisco and Compliance Inspector (CI) Christy Hughes found this allegation to be substantiated on the following evidence:
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)2., which states the following: "A caregiver personally shall admit each child upon arrival and personally shall dismiss each child upon departure. Children shall be dismissed only to the parent(s) , guardian, legal custodian, or to individuals approved by the parent(s) , guardian, or legal custodian."
On August 19, 2024, CIS Chrisco and CI Hughes conducted an unannounced inspection of the facility and conducted interviews with Michael Backers, assistant director, Heather McGhay, and teachers Kamyra Church, Katelyn Lumpkins and Child A. Ms. McGhay was preparing to take the children on a van run to school. Axel vans arrived to transport the children to the Early Education Center (EEC). The van driver asked for Child A to transport. She stated that she had a conversation with Parent A about Child A attending the EEC but had not received a start date. The van driver stated that Child A was on his list. Ms McGhay asked Katelyn to go get Child A from his classroom. Ms McGhay stated that she did not see the list from the van driver and had not prepared her list for the school year yet. Ms Lumpkin stated that she went to get Child A and brought him to the van driver. Ms Lumpkin did not see the list with Child A's name on it. The van driver took Child A to EEC. A phone call was not placed to Parent A for approval to transport.
Mr. Backers stated that once he learned that Child A was at the EEC, he immediately went to retrieve him in an approved facility van. Child A was placed in a child car seat and returned to the facility.
On August 19, 2024, CIS Chrisco and CI Hughes conducted an interview with Parent A via phone. Parent A stated that she had not given permission for Child A to be released to the EEC. Child A was not of age to attend for another month. The EEC did not know who Child A was.
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