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On March 17, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that Child A (age 3-years-old), reported in the therapy session for behaviors, a baby teacher grabbed his arm. Healing dark marks on the child inner left bicep were observed. The marks on Child A's arm look like fingernail marks. Parent A is aware that Child A had behaviors and at times needed to be restrained. Parent A is concerned because she asked staff about the arm marks, and staff reported that the injury was done to Child A by another child at the facility. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Jade Stewart-Martin has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence:
5 CSR 25-500.192(5)(B). states: "Information regarding the date and circumstance of any accident or injury shall be noted in the child's record."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.192(5)(A). "In case of accident or injury to a child, the provider shall notify the parent(s) immediately. If the child requires emergency medical care, the provider shall follow the parent's(s') written instructions."
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5 CSR 25-500.102(1)(A) . "Child care personnel shall be of good character and intent and shall be qualified to provide care conducive to the welfare of children."
On March 17, 2025, Compliance Inspector (CI) Jade Stewart-Martin conducted an interview with Parent A (parent of Child A) and Child A (age 3-years-old) at Parent's A home. Parent A stated that on March 4, 2025, she was called by a teacher at the facility. She was told that a "friend" had grabbed Child A by the arm and had left a mark on his right bicep. When Parent A picked up Child A on this date, an incident report was available that stated that a "friend" had scratched his arm. After leaving the facility, Child A disclosed to Parent A that it was in fact the "baby teacher" who had left the mark on his arm. On March 5, 2025, Parent A went to Dr. Smith with her concerns and Dr. Smith said she would investigate. Child A stated that he is 3-years-old. Child A disclosed that the mark on his right bicep was caused by the "baby teacher." CI Stewart-Martin observed Child A's right arm. There was a crescent shape scar on his right bicep.
On March 25, 2025, CI Stewart-Martin conducted an unannounced inspection and interviewed administrative director Angela Henderson Brown and teachers: Rachel Davis, Zoraida Reyes, and Silonne Pierre.
Angela stated that she was unaware of the situation with Child A (age 3-years-old). She stated that the facility does not use physical discipline, they only use redirection. Angela stated that they do have cameras in the facility, but they only have two weeks on storage. They would not have video footage available from March 04, 2025.
Rachel stated that she is an infant/toddler teacher. She is aware of Child A, but he is not in her class. Child A has some aggressive type behaviors against both teachers and other children. She stated she was unaware of the incident with Child A that occurred on March 5, 2025.
Zoraida stated that she is a toddler teacher. She is aware of Child A and his behaviors. She stated Child A is rarely in her care besides a limited time when they are closing the classrooms. Zoraida stated that she did not see any incident occur with Child A. Child A did not disclose anything to her about a teacher grabbing him.
Silonne stated that on March 04, 2025, Child A kicked another child and ran away towards an exit door when she walked towards him. She was afraid that Child A would get outside so she grabbed him by the arm and accidently left a mark with her nail. Silonne stated that she attended to the injury and gave Child A an ice pack and wrote an incident report. She called Parent A and told her that the injury had come from a "friend." Silonne was present when Parent A picked up and she said the same story that a 'friend' had left the mark on Child A's right bicep. When asked why she stated a "friend" had caused Child A's injury, she stated that this is what they refer to the children as.
On March 25, 2025, CI Stewart-Martin observed Child A's enrollment form. The incident report from March 04, 2025, was observed. It was filled out by Silonne Pierre on March 4, 2025. It stated that "During gross motor Child A pushed a friend and took off running the friend grabbed by the arm and accidently scratched on the right arm teacher put ice pack on it." The incident report observed was signed by Parent A and the director Dr. Smith.
On April 09, 2025, CI Stewart-Martin conducted an interview with director Dr. Smith. Dr. Smith stated that she was present on March 04, 2025. She was under the belief that a friend (another child) had caused the injury since that was what was written on the incident report. She was unaware that Silonne accidently caused the injury to Child A until after CI Stewart Martin's interview with Silonne on March 25, 2025. Dr. Smith stated that they have training set up for April 18, 2025, regarding handling children with difficult behavior. She has had a conversation with Silonne about reporting and filling out incident reports correctly and factually.
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