View Investigation

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

OFFICE OF CHILDHOOD - CHILD CARE COMPLIANCE

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION OF SUBSTANTIATED STATUTE OR RULE VIOLATIONS
Back

Facility Information
Date of Report
5/1/2025 12:00:00 AM
DVN
002780610
Facility Name
LITTLE HEARTS DAYCARE, LLC
Facility Address
2405 TOWNSHIP LINE RD
City
POPLAR BLUFF
Zip Code
63901-9052
Phone
(573) 686-2511
County
BUTLER
Assigned Specialist
GRAHAM, JESSICA
Rule/Statute Violation(s)
ViolationViolation Description
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)6. Firm, positive statements or redirection of behavior shall be used with infants and toddlers.
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)8. No discipline technique which is humiliating, threatening, or frightening to children shall be used. Children shall not be shamed, ridiculed, or spoken to harshly, abusively, or with profanity.
5 CSR 25-500.092(1)(B)2.I. Sitting devices such as car safety seats, strollers, swings, infant carriers, infant slings, and other sitting devices shall not be used for sleep/nap time. Infants who fall asleep anywhere other than a crib, portable crib, or playpen shall be placed in the crib or playpen for the remainder of their sleep or nap time.
Conclusion Summary
Compliance Inspector (CI) Jessica Graham interviewed an allegation that Amber, caregiver, is blowing in infant faces to stop them from crying and is reported to wrap babies in swaddles very tight. After Compliance Inspector (CI) Jessica Graham conducted an investigation, the allegations were found to be substantiated based on the following information: 5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)8. which states: "No discipline technique which is humiliating, threatening, or frightening to children shall be used. Children shall not be shamed, ridiculed, or spoken to harshly, abusively, or with profanity." AND 5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)6. which states: "Firm, positive statements or redirection of behavior shall be used with infants and toddlers." On May 6, 2025, Raven Kirkley, director, said that she was told by Gabby Benscoter, caregiver, that Amber Schisler, caregiver, was blowing in some of the children's faces. She was told on two different occasions that Gabby witnessed Amber doing this but she didn't address it with Amber. Gabby saw Amber forcefully blowing into Child A (13-months-old) and Child B's (10-months-old) faces on different occasions. She told Raven about Child A in person and Child A was moved out of Amber's classroom and into hers. Amber blew in Child B's face a few different times. Gabby texted Raven about it and Raven asked her to take Child B from Amber. Ashton Sung, caregiver, said that Amber would blow in Child B's face to calm him down. She was doing this when he couldn't catch his breath. Amber said that Raven had talked to her about blowing in the babies faces. She was doing it when the babies were crying to get them to catch their breaths. This is something that she has always done and thought it was okay. On May 7, 2025, Parent A said that he was made aware of Amber blowing in Child A's face and was upset. Child A was pulled from the facility. All caregivers agreed that the children are only placed in sleep sacks during nap time and are not swaddled inappropriately.
Corrective Measures
Corrective MeasureCompleted (Y/N)Completed Date
The facility shall notify all caregivers (paid employees and paid or unpaid volunteers) of the violations which were substantiated and specify the actions to be taken by all caregivers, in order to comply with all violations cited. A copy of the memo, letter, or meeting agenda shall be submitted to the Office of Childhood. Y 5/7/2025 12:00:00 AM
Disposition
SUBSTANTIATED
Disposition Date
6/30/2025 12:00:00 AM
Approving Supervisor
CHRISCO, MARLA L