|
On June 4, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging that on May 3, 2025, there was bad weather coming into Odessa with possible tornados. Victoria Barker emailed parents letting them know she was transporting them from the center to her home. This is not their emergency plan. After conducting the investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Cole Eddins finds the allegation is substantiated. This conclusion is based on the following evidence of licensing rule violations, which occurred at the facility:
5 CSR 25-500.090(1)(A) which states: "The facility shall develop, implement, and maintain policies and procedures for responding to a disaster emergency, including a written plan for:" 1. "Medical and non-medical emergencies and disaster situations that could pose a hazard to staff and children, such as a fire, tornado, flood, chemical spill, exposure to carbon monoxide, power failure, bomb threat, person coming to the facility whose health or behavior may be harmful to a child or staff member, or kidnapping or missing child;"
And
5 CSR 25-500.042(14) Which states: "The license shall not be transferable and shall apply only to the person(s) and address shown on the license."
On June 4, 2025, Compliance Inspector (CI) Cole Eddins completed an unannounced inspection and interviewed Director Victoria Barker, Caregiver Olivia Feith, Caregiver Avery Slusher, Caregiver Jenna Barker, Child A, Child B, and Child C. All staff members provided consistent information. All staff members stated that on June 3, 2025, Victoria, Olivia, Avery, Jenna, Child A, Child B, Child C, and the other 19 remaining children left the facility and entered the school bus to go to Victoria's house. At around 3:00 p.m., Victoria drove the school bus to her house, located one mile away from the daycare off of Gibson Road in Odessa, Missouri. The drive to Victoria's house was around one to two minutes. Staff and children were at Victoria's house for around 45 minutes to an hour and 15 minutes. Staff stated that leaving the facility and going to Victoria's house was not a part of their severe weather plan.
Child A, B, and C provided consistent information. All three children stated that they remembered leaving the facility and going into Miss Victoria's basement during the severe weather.
On June 4, 2025, CI Eddins conducted a walkthrough of the facility and observed the facility's emergency severe weather plan. The plan stated that in the event of a tornado or severe weather, children are to take shelter in the kitchen and bathroom that is located along the interior walls. CI Eddins did not observe anything in the plan that allowed for children or staff to leave the facility during a severe weather warning. CI Eddins observed a copy of the email notification sent to parents at 3:16 p.m., which included the message that Victoria would be loading children on the bus to take them to her house. CI Eddins observed an email sent back to a parent at 4:15 p.m. stating that they were loading up the bus in 15 minutes to head back to the facility.
After talking with staff and children at the faciality, it was concluded that Victoria, Olivia, Avery, and Jenna cared for 22 children at Victoria's house for around 45 minutes to an hour and 15 minutes. Victoria's house is not licensed child care space and the address on the facility's license does not match Victoria's home address.
AND
5 CSR 25-500.212(2)(A) which states: "The driver of any vehicle used to transport children shall be no less than eighteen years of age and shall have a valid driver's license as required by Missouri law.
On June 4, 2025, CI Eddins observed that Victoria's license was a class F license, and she did not contain a CDL in the state of Missouri. A CDL is required to transport more than 16 people in the state of Missouri.
|