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On April 10, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that: Child A (age 2 -years -old), was left n the bathroom for over 30 minutes by themselves and was found playing in the water when a worker went to use the restroom. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Michelle Honea has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence:
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)1, which states: "Caregivers shall not leave any child without competent supervision."
AND
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."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)4., which states: "Children under three (3) shall be supervised and assisted while in the bathroom."
On April 15, 2025, CI Honea conducted a phone interview with Savanah Baker who stated that she was given the information regarding Child A being left in the bathroom alone, by another teacher but does not know when this incident occurred.
On April 15, 2025, Compliance Inspector (CI) Honea conducted an unannounced inspection to the facility and interviewed Director Dena Smith, teachers Kyleigh Bias and Elizabeth "Izzy" Demay and Parent A (parent of Child A and also a caregiver at the facility). Kyleigh stated that she was not there the day of the incident and has not had any issues with Child A getting out of the classroom. Izzy stated that the day Child A was alone in the bathroom, teacher Maddy was putting out cots in the classroom while the director was in the kitchen. She asked Maddy where Child A was and Maddy thought Child A might be in the bathroom. She found Child A alone in the bathroom playing in the sink. Director Dena Smith stated that she does not know what teachers were working on the day Child A was left in the bathroom alone. She did not talk to Parent A about the incident. She does not know the exact time of the incident but thinks it was lunchtime and thinks Child A was in the bathroom alone for 15 to 20 minutes. She does not think the teachers were counting the children. She is willing to make changes so this does not happen again. CI Honea interviewed Parent A (parent of Child A and also a caregiver at the facility). Parent A stated that she left the daycare for an appointment between 11:00 am to 11:30 am the day Child A was left in the bathroom alone. She does not remember what day that was. Sierra texted to let her know Child A got out of the dining area and into the bathroom. She does not know how long Child A was in the bathroom alone. She has not talked to the director about the incident.
On April 15, 2025, while at the facility, Compliance Inspector (CI) Michelle Honea observed the kitchen to be attached to the dining area which is over thirty feet from the bathroom. CI Honea observed Child A's classroom to be approximately twenty-two feet from the bathroom. CI Honea observed the bathroom to be close to the front door of the daycare. CI Honea observed that the bathroom is not visible from the kitchen, dining area or the classrooms.
On April 23, 2025, CI Honea conducted a phone interview with teacher Maddy Wolfe who stated that the incident with Child A being left in the bathroom happened around 11:30 am while she was putting cots out. Izzy and Director Dena were both in the kitchen while Child A was eating. Izzy asked her if Child A was in the classroom. She told Izzy that maybe Child A was in the bathroom. She went with Izzy to the bathroom and Child A was alone in the bathroom playing in the sink getting water all over the floor. Sierra texted Parent A about the incident. She talked to Parent A that night and apologized. The director has made some changes and now makes sure that two people are in the kitchen/dining area at all times during mealtime. Also the teachers are to make sure all the children are in the classrooms, and attendance checks are completed more throughout the day.
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