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On February 26, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, A Better Future Learning Center, LLC staff Khadzia Manual picked up Child A (3-months-old), who was strapped into a chair with a tray table placed on the floor. Ms. Manual fell while picking up Child A and Child A fell to the floor. Child A suffered a fractured skull as a result of the fall. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Patrick O'Malley has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence:
5 CSR 25-500.092(1)(C)2., which states: "Infants and toddlers. Infants and toddlers who are unable to sit at a table shall have one (1) piece of mealtime feeding equipment for every four (4) infant/toddlers which may include feeding tables, high chairs, infant seats or other safely designed infant seating equipment. Equipment shall be provided which will allow the child to sit comfortably and securely while being fed. Appropriate restraints shall be used."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.102(1)(E)., which states: "Caregivers shall have knowledge of the needs of children and shall be sensitive to the capabilities, interests, and problems of children in care."
On February 27, 2025, CI O'Malley conducted a visit to St. Louis Children's Hospital and observed Child A; conducted interviews with registered nurse Faith Dooer and Parent A (parent of Child A). Ms. Dooer stated that Child A was diagnosed with a skull fracture. Parent A stated that she was contacted by LLC member Kimberly Brown immediately after the incident occurred.
On February 27, 2025, CI O'Malley conducted interviews with Ms. Brown and staff Khadzia Manual. Ms. Manual stated that on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, Child A was in her care along with two other children. Ms. Manual was preparing Child A for feeding and strapped him into a low chair. Child A could lift his head but could not sit up on his own yet. The low chair had a tray with a hinge on one side and a catch on the other side. Ms. Manual picked up the chair by the tray. The catch came undone, and the chair swung away by the hinge. Ms. Manual was surprised and the change in momentum caused her to drop the chair. Ms. Manual dropped the chair with Child A still in it from a standing position; she was five feet, two inches tall. Child A's head struck the floor, and he had a knot to the left side of the back of his head. 9-1-1 was called immediately, followed by Parent A. Police, firemen, and an ambulance all arrived within ten minutes. Ms. Manual had been lifting and moving high and low chairs by their trays with children in them for several years. Ms. Manual now knows not to lift chairs by their trays.
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