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On April 1, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging on March 27, 2025, Child A (2 years old) was picked up from daycare by Parent A. Parent A noticed that Child A had a big chunk of hair missing from her head. Parent A asked to see the video from the day and while viewing it, she observed Child B, age 2 years old, grab Child A's hair and pull it. There were two teachers in the room when the incident occurred: Jessica and another unknown teacher. It looked like on the video that the teachers should have seen the incident occur but didn't stop it from happening. Compliance Inspector (CI) JD Greer conducted an unannounced investigation and found the allegation to be substantiated based on the following information:
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)3. which states, "Caregivers shall provide frequent, direct contact so children are not left unobserved on the premises."
On April 3, 2025, Compliance Inspector (CI) JD Greer interviewed Director Lisa Sheffield, Teacher Erica Bryant, Teacher Jessica Cude, and Assistant Director Sarah Struchtemeyer. Lisa stated she was not present when the incident occurred. Assistant Director Sarah Struchtemeyer was in charge of the facility on March 27, 2025. Jessica and Erica were the classroom teachers at the time of the incident. Child A (2 years old) had her hair pulled by Child B (2 years old). A chunk of hair came out of Child A's head. Erica and Jessica were both given a write up for supervision concerns. Lisa reviewed video footage from the day of the incident and Erica and Jessica should have been able to prevent Child A's hair being pulled out. Both teachers stated Child B had been touching and pulling on Child A's hair throughout the day. They both could have done a better job separating the two children. Erica stated that she was on her phone and was distracted by her phone.
Erica stated on March 27, 2025, she was Child A and Child B's classroom teacher. She was distracted on her phone. She was dealing with a personal matter on her phone. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Child B pull Child A's hair. There was a chunk of hair in Child B's hand, and Child A was crying. She was not providing proper supervision to the children. She should have been watching them and not have been on her phone. She and Jessica could have prevented the hair pulling from happening by separating the children. Ten to 15 minutes before the incident occurred, Child B had pulled Child A's hair. She was not following the facility policy on phone use.
Jessica stated on March 27, 2025, she was Child A and Child B's classroom teacher. She was the lead teacher in the classroom. Child B had been trying to pull Child A's hair throughout the day. She did not see Child B pull Child A's hair but was nearby talking to another student. She should have done a better job keeping Child A and B separated to prevent Child A's hair getting pulled. She was distracted and on her phone throughout the day dealing with personal matters. She was not properly supervising the children.
Sarah stated she was in charge of the facility on March 27, 2025. She reviewed video footage and felt both teachers were distracted and not properly supervising the classrooms. She feels that the two teachers should have been able to prevent the hair pulling by keeping the two children away from one another.
On April 3, 2025, CI Greer reviewed video footage of the March 27, 2025, incident and observed Teacher Jessica Cude standing wearing a grey sweatshirt and black pants. Teacher Erica Bryant is seated in a chair wearing a light-colored t shirt and dark pants. At approximately 3:34:39, Erica is looking at her phone and Jessica is facing Child A and Child B while talking to other children. At approximately 3:34:39, Child A and Child B are seated on the ground in front of Erica. Child B has dark hair and a bow in her hair. Child A has dark hair and is seated directly in front of Child B. At approximately 3:34:44, Child B pulls Child A's hair and Child A begins crying. At approximately 3:34:54, both teachers walk over to Child A and B. At approximately 3:35:00, Erica hands what appears to be a chunk of Child A's hair to Erica.
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