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On November 7, 2024, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation of on November 6, 2024, in the morning at approximately 9:15 am the Turtles classroom was participating in circle time. Child A was having a hard time and was throwing a fit. Staff Sarah Gerst seemed to be visibly frustrated and angry with Child A throwing a fit and grabbed her by her feet, yanking her across the rug. On November 8, 2024, Compliance Inspector (CI) Christy Hughes conducted an unannounced inspection of the facility and found the allegations to be substantiated based on the following information:
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)3., which states the following: "Only constructive, age-appropriate methods of discipline shall be used to help children develop self-control and assume responsibility for their own actions."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)8., which states the following: "No discipline technique which is humiliating, threatening, or frightening to children shall be used. Children shall not be shamed, ridiculed, or spoken to harshly, abusively, or with profanity."
On November 8, 2024, Compliance Inspector (CI) Christy Hughes conducted in-person interviews with Lisa Boewer, caregivers Sarah Warden and Sarah Gerst and Child A.
Lisa Boewer stated that she was aware of the situation and that disciplinary action was going to be implemented. She stated that there was no harm done to Child A and that they were addressing it internally. She stated they were concerned with the tone used but that they did not feel that they needed to contact Parent A.
Sarah Gerst stated that she moved Child A about a foot across the carpet by her legs and put her shoes back on and that she was frustrated. She stated she was concerned Child A was going to throw her shoes. She stated that Child A was not hurt. She spoke with her co-worker Sarah Warden and that she was concerned about the situation and that she should have calmed her emotions before dealing with the situation. She stated that she is letting her co-teacher work with Child A from now on. She knew she was wrong.
Sarah Warden stated that Sarah Gerst came over and grabbed Child A by the legs, pulled her and screamed in her face. She stated that she made Ms. Gerst walk away, and that Child A was upset. She stated that she reported it to her Director Kristen Skebo. She requested Sarah Gerst not to be in her classroom anymore and that she does not feel that is the right group for Sarah Gerst. She did not know why Sarah Gerst intervened and that she knew how to de-escalate Child A and always took care of it.
On November 8, 2024, Compliance Inspector (CI) Christy Hughes conducted an interview via phone with Parent A. Parent A stated that she has not had any issues with the center or Ms. Sarah Gerst in the past and that she really loves the facility.
On November 13, 2024, Compliance Inspector (CI) Christy Hughes conducted an interview via phone with Director Kristen Skebo. Kristen stated she was made aware of the situation from Sarah Warden. Sarah Warden requested that Sarah Gerst not be placed in her classroom anymore. She stated she did not speak with Sarah G. until later that day when she contacted her at her home. She felt that Sarah Gerst needed a disciplinary action but had not done it and that she has not left Sarah Gerst alone in a classroom. On Thursday November 7, 2024, she placed Sarah Gerst in another classroom away from Child A. She stated she did not review the video until Friday, November 8, 2024. On November 11, 2024, she met with Sarah Gerst and issued a write up and a final warning and that she is requiring Sarah G. to attend additional classes and training.
On November 20, 2024, Compliance Inspector (CI) Christy Hughes reviewed the video footage provided by the facility. The video was approximately 35 seconds in length and does not provide sound. The video observed shows Child A sitting on the carpet kicking her feet. Ms Sarah Gerst is sitting at the table with 4 other children. At 18 seconds into the video, Ms. Gerst gets up, walks over to Child A, sits down, grabs both Child A's legs and pulls her across the carpet causing Child A to fall onto her back. She then starts putting Child A's shoes on her. Approximately 23 seconds into the video, Ms. Sarah Warden steps in to take over and Ms. Gerst walks away.
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