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On September 17, 2024 the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging "On September 16, 2024, around 3:46 p.m., classroom seven (age 3-4 years) went outside with Caregiver Makenzie Gemmecke and Child A, age 4 years, was left in the classroom alone. About 30 minutes later, Kandice Attyberry went in the classroom and found Child A in the classroom by himself." After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Caylin Mertz has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence and rule violations:
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."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)5 which states "A caregiver shall remain in the room with preschool and school-age children while they are napping or sleeping and shall be able to see and hear them if they have difficulty during napping or when they awaken."
On September 23, 2024 CI Mertz conducted an unannounced inspection and walkthrough at the facility. CI Mertz interviewed Director Lara Denney and Caregiver Misty Johnson. On September 24, 2024, CI Mertz interviewed Assistant Director Kandice Attyberry and Caregiver Emily Guffey. Kandice indicated on September 16, 2024 she went to retrieve water bottles from the classroom when she found Child A (4 years old) alone in the room. She immediately helped him get his shoes on and took him outside with his class before calling Lara and reviewing video footage to determine how long Child A had been without supervision. She determined that Child A had been left alone for approximately 30 minutes. Lara indicated she was notified about this incident by Kandice.
On October 8, 2024, CI Mertz interviewed Caregiver Makenzie Gemmecke and Parent A (Parent of Child A). Makenzie stated she recalls Child A being asleep on the cot before they went outside. She did not realize she had forgotten him until Kandice walked out to the playground carrying him. She was not sure how long Child A had been alone inside. Parent A indicates she was contacted by Kandice and told that Child A had been left alone inside while his class had gone out to the playground.
CI Mertz observed video footage dated September 16, 2024. Video footage indicates Child A was left alone at 3:45 p.m. and was located by Kandice at 4:16 p.m. for a total of 31 minutes without supervision.
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