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On June 2, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a complaint alleging that Deanna works at the daycare and is rough with the kids, especially Child A (2 years old). Deanna will push the children. She dragged a little boy because he wasn`t walking fast enough. Deanna will grab Child A`s face and pick Child A up by her arms and shove her. Compliance Inspector (CI) Heather Radney conducted an investigation of the allegations and found them to be substantiated based on the following information:
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)3. - Only constructive, age-appropriate methods of discipline shall be used to help children develop self-control and assume responsibility for their own actions.
On June 5, 2025, CI Radney conducted interviews with Allie Galvan. Allie reported she works with Deanna sometimes and Deanna can be a little rough. Deanna grabs their arms and pushes them against the wall a little bit.
On July 17, 2025, CI Radney conducted an interview with Bella Burpo, who reported Deanna grabs kids. They've just witnessed Deanna be harsh with how she speaks to them for discipline. She intentionally yells or gets close to their faces and to sound mean. The children do cry sometimes but it is hard to determine whether the crying is a result of Deanna's interaction with them or because they are crying for another reason, like being in trouble or tired.
On July 17, 2025, CI Radney conducted an interview with Amelia Conkright. She has observed Deanna grab a child's face or arms and get in their faces and yell at them. These actions would be considered discipline. Some children may be intimidated or frightened by her and some just tune her out. She will yell things like "You need to listen when I ask you to do something."
On July 18, 2025, CI Radney conducted an interview with Cody Neimeyer. Cody observed Deanna put Child A against the wall and squeeze the child's cheeks. This was for discipline. The child was 3 years old and she acted sad. Cody did not think it was appropriate.
On July 21, 2025, CI Radney conducted an interview with Izzy Schepers. She has observed Deanna be harsh and get in children's faces and yell at them if they are not listening. She will say things like "Be quiet" or "You should have your voice off." Saying normal things but in a very harsh way. Some children cry, and some seem scared of Deanna.
On July 21, 2025, CI Radney conducted an interview with Deanna McDaniel. For discipline, she will pick children up and sit them on the wall and they will cry but she won't give them attention until they're not crying. The way she disciplines them is sitting them along the wall and saying to them "when you're done screaming, I will talk to you." She may have grabbed a child's face once.
On July 21, 2025, CI Radney conducted an interview with Parent A. The daycare had reached out notifying her of the allegations about June 5, 2025. She was not aware of the report or concerns. On June 5, 2025, she asked Child A about it. Child A said "She (Deanna) grabbed her by the arm too hard and it hurt and made me cry."
On July 21, 2025, CI Radney conducted an interview with Parent C. She observed Deanna holding a child's hand/wrist area and walking quickly and very roughly to the office. The child was about 3 or 4 years old. That day or the next day she asked the director "Does she get rough with kids like that often?" and Amy said "I know, we are going to talk to her about that." Child C was in class with Deanna and would say things about Deanna yelling.
Based on the information provided, it appears that Deanna was not using constructive or age-appropriate methods of discipline when she disciplined children by saying things to children in a harsh way or grabbing a child's face, causing children to appear frightened at times.
AND
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)5. - Brief, supervised separation from the group may be used based on a guideline of one (1) minute of separation for each year of the child's age.
On July 21, 2025, CI Radney conducted an interview with Deanna McDaniel, who stated the way she disciplines them is sitting them along the wall and saying to them "When you're done screaming, I will talk to you." With Child A, it would last fifteen minutes, and with other children, it would last two to three minutes.
Child A is 3 years old, which means Child A should only be sat away from the other children for three minutes.
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