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On October 15, 2024, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that on October 14, 2024, at around 11:00 a.m., teacher Rhonda Mccoy was being rough with Child A (3-years-old) at Hilltop Child Development Center. Ms. McCoy grabbed Child A by his arm and pulled him out from under the table by his arm. Ms. McCoy then carried Child A a few feet by his arm to the carpet. Child A was then let go and tossed on to the carpet. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Patrick O'Malley has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence:
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)7., which states the following: "Physical punishment including, but not limited to, spanking, slapping, shaking, biting, or pulling hair shall be prohibited."
On October 22, 2024, CI O'Malley conducted an unannounced inspection of the facility without observing any violations. CI O'Malley observed a video, dated October 14, 2024, without audio. The video shows Ms. McCoy pull Child A out from under a table with one hand to each of Child A's legs. Ms. McCoy grasps Child A's upper left arm with Ms. McCoy's right hand. Ms. McCoy lifts Child A completely off the floor by his left arm. Ms. McCoy carries Child A approximately seven feet to the idle of the room. Ms. McCoy drops Child A onto the floor from a height of approximately four inches. Child A appears to cry throughout the incident.
CI O'Malley observed the preschool classroom, including the table shown in the video. CI O'Malley did not observe any plugs under the table.
CI O'Malley conducted interviews with director Julie McAfee, teachers Christopher Burton, Danielle Washington, Kisha Hubbard, and Child A. Ms. Hubbard stated that she and Ms. McCoy were the primary co-teachers in the preschool classroom on Monday, October 14, 2024. Ms. McCoy kept several students inside from morning playground time due to misbehavior, including keeping Child A inside. Ms. McCoy was a disciplinarian and did not tolerate misbehavior. Ms. McCoy raised her voice to the children, but Ms. Hubbard never saw her physically discipline any children.
Mr. Burton stated that he and Ms. Washington walked past the preschool classroom on the morning of October 14, 2024. Through the preschool classroom's window, he saw Ms. McCoy drag Child A out from under a table by Child A's left arm. Ms. McCoy carried Child A by the left arm to the middle of the classroom. Child A was carried by the arm at least five feet; Child A's feet did not touch the floor. Ms. McCoy dropped Child A on the floor; Child A landed on his bottom. Child A appeared upset and was crying. Ms. Washington entered the classroom to retrieve Child A. Mr. Burton immediately informed Ms. McAfee of the incident.
Ms. Washington stated that she and Mr. Burton walked past the preschool classroom and saw Ms. McCoy drag Child A out from under a table by Child A's arm through the classroom's hallway window. Ms. McCoy carried Child A by the arm to the middle of the classroom and dropped Child A on the floor. Child A was upset and crying. Ms. Washington entered the classroom and picked up Child A. Ms. McCoy reported that she was trying to keep Child A away from plugs under the table. Ms. Washington removed Child A from the classroom and took him to Ms. McAfee. Child A was upset but did not appear to have any injuries.
Ms. McAfee stated that she was informed of the incident after it occurred on October 14, 2024. Ms. McAfee checked Child A for injury and did not observe any. Parent A (parent of Child A) was informed of the incident within a half-hour. Ms. McAfee reviewed the incident with Ms. McCoy, who admitted to carrying Child A by one arm. Ms. McCoy was terminated on October 15, 2024.
On October 24, 2024, CI O'Malley conducted a phone interview with Parent A, who stated that she was immediately informed of the incident on October 14, 2024. with Child A and staff Ms. McCoy. Child A was still enrolled at the facility, and she was satisfied with Child A's care.
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