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On September 10, 2024, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging that on September 9, 2024, at 10 a.m., a passerby was driving down Main Street in Greenwood when the truck in front of him swerved to miss hitting a small child. The child was about a foot from Main Street in front of Tree House Expression. The passerby took the child to Tree House Expression where a woman in her 60s came out. She said they did not see the child go outside and that they were out back playing. 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 September 10, 2024, 2024, CI Eddins conducted an unannounced inspection and interviewed Director Judy Macy. Judy Macy stated that she was present with Caregiver Alisha Macy when Child A, age 2 years old, escaped the facility on September 9, 2024. She did not observe how Child A left the daycare. She was the first person to notice Child A outside in the parking lot at around 10:15 a.m. Child A was outside for three to five minutes, but she was not sure. She observed an unknown male pedestrian outside in the parking lot who had pulled over to help Child A. She met the male pedestrian outside as they were both walking towards Child A to try and get him back inside. Child A did not get into the street on September 9, 2024. She assumed that the front door was not closed after another parent left the facility during drop-off time and that Child A had opened the front door and walked outside.
On September 10, 2024, CI Eddins conducted a walkthrough of the facility and observed the classroom that Child A was in when he escaped the facility on September 9, 2024. CI Eddins did not observe any cameras at the facility. CI Eddins observed how the door could stay slightly propped open while appearing to be closed. CI Eddins did not observe Child A. CI Eddins observed the parking lot that Child A was found in, which was connected to the street.
On October 9, 2024, CI Eddins interviewed Caregiver Alisha Macy, who stated that Child A escaped the facility on September 9, 2024. She was changing a child's pants who had an accident during the time that Child A escaped, and she did not observe Child A escape. Judy Macy was the first person to notice Child A outside. She observed an unknown male pedestrian outside in the parking lot near the right-side bushes who was helping to guide Child A back to the daycare. Judy met the male pedestrian outside as they were both walking towards Child A. Child A did not get into the street. She thought that the front door was not latched/closed all the way from a previous parent and he must have opened the door.
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