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On March 13, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that an unknown adult male was observed exiting Itsy Bitsy Hearts LLC at approximately 8:00 a.m. on March 12, 2025. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Patrick O'Malley has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence:
5 CSR 25-400.115 (4), which states the following: "The provider shall notify the department of any new household members."
AND
5 CSR 25-400.105 (1)(M), which states the following: "The provider shall request the results of a criminal background check for child care staff members as required by 5 CSR 25-600.020 General Requirements."
AND
5 CSR 25-400.105 (1)(N), which states the following: "Child care staff members shall have qualifying background screening results on file as required by 5 CSR 25-600.020 General Requirements."
AND
5 CSR 25-400.105 (1)(P), which states the following: "The child care provider shall conduct a Family Care Safety Registry screening prior to employment for any newly hired child care staff member who has a qualifying criminal background check result."
AND
5 CSR 25-600.020 (1), which states the following: "Prior to the employment or presence of a child care staff member in a licensed, regulated, or registered child care facility not exempted by section 210.1080.13, RSMo, the child care provider shall request the results of a criminal background check for such child care staff member from the department."
On March 17, 2025, CI O'Malley conducted an unannounced inspection of the home. No men were present at the home when CI O'Malley arrived. Ms. July Abdeen was unable to provide an eligibility letter or Family Care Safety Registry (FCSR) screening for her husband, Michael Turner. CI O'Malley then conducted interviews with Ms. Abdeen, assistant Rachel Choi, Parent A, and Parent C.
Ms. Abdeen stated that she married Mr. Turner in December 2024. Mr. Turner lived at the home but was not present during child care hours. Mr. Turner traveled a lot for work and was usually only home on the weekends. Ms. Abdeen affirmed that Mr. Turner always had access to the home. Ms. Abdeen affirmed that Mr. Turner had not received a comprehensive background check or a FCSR check. Ms. Abdeen did not think that Mr. Turner required FCSR or background screenings as he was not present when children were present.
Ms. Choi stated that Mr. Turner was the only man she had seen in the home other than parents at pick-up and drop-off. Ms. Choi denied that Mr. Turner was at the home while children were present.
Parent A denied observing any men other than parents entering or leaving the home.
Parent C denied observing any men other than parents and Mr. Turner entering or leaving the home.
On March 18, 2025, CI O'Malley conducted a phone interview with reporter India Cade, who stated that she had seen an unknown adult male exiting Itsy Bitsy Hearts LLC at approximately 8:00 am on March 12, 2025. She has seen this gentleman before and he typically arrives after children have left for the day, around 5:30 pm or 6:00 pm.
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