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Compliance Inspector (CI) Jessica Graham investigated the allegation that on October 14, 2024, Johanna Harris, teacher, twisted and bruised the arm of Child A, 4-year-old boy, and pushed him against a sink. This allegation is substantiated based on the following rule violation:
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)3O., which states: "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)7., which states: "Physical punishment including, but not limited to, spanking, slapping, shaking, biting, or pulling hair shall be prohibited."
On November 25, 2024 Parent A stated that her daughter, Child B, age 12-years-old, told her that Child A, age 4-years-old, was pushed and pulled by caregiver Joahanna Harris. Child A had a bruise on his arm after the incident. This incident occurred on October 14, 2024.
On November 26, 2024, Mercedes Smith, managing member stated that she was told about Joahanna grabbing Child A's arm by Briona Fitzgerald, caregiver. She asked Child B about the incident and Child B her told about it and she believed her. There was no video footage to view because of the angle of the cameras.
On November 26, 2024, via phone, Briona stated that she heard about the issue from Parent A when she called her. She said that Joahanna had hit Child A. Briona asked Child B if she knew about the situation and she said that she was scared to tell her about it. The next day Briona addressed this with Joahanna and she denied it happening. Joahanna said that she had threatened to call Child A's dad but never but her hands on him. Joahanna never returned to work after that.
On November 26, 2024, via phone, Brenda Perkins, caregiver, stated that Joahanna was rough with all the kids and that is why she was fired. She would "whoop up" on Child A and all the other kids. She reported her concerns to Briona but she did nothing.
On November 26, 2024, at Child A's home, Child B stated that she was coming out of the bathroom and saw Joahanna grabbing Child A by the arm. Joahanna told Child A he better be quiet and then she twisted his arm. She pulled Child A into the bathroom by the sink and told him to go to time out. Child A was crying and telling her to let go. She was holding him by the wrist. After leaving time out, Child A's arm was red.
Child A said that he does not know his teachers names. One teacher tried to put him in time out in the bathroom and hurt him. It was his upper arm and there was a big scratch.
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