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MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

OFFICE OF CHILDHOOD - CHILD CARE COMPLIANCE

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION OF SUBSTANTIATED STATUTE OR RULE VIOLATIONS
Facility Information
Date of Report
6/12/2025 12:00:00 AM
DVN
001398447
Facility Name
PETER RABBIT LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Facility Address
3512 S 22ND ST
City
ST JOSEPH
Zip Code
64503-3321
Phone
(816) 676-8283
County
BUCHANAN
Assigned Specialist
EDDINS, COLE
Rule/Statute Violation(s)
ViolationViolation Description
5 CSR 25-500.082(2)(A)9. The facility shall be clean at all times and free of dirt, insects, spiders, rodents or other pests.
5 CSR 25-500.082(5)(D) Kitchens shall be maintained in compliance with state or local rules, or both, governing food service sanitation.
Conclusion Summary
On June 12, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging that there are roaches in the kitchen. 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 25-500.082(5)(D), which states: "Kitchens shall be maintained in compliance with state or local rules, or both, governing food service sanitation." and 5 CSR 25-500.082(2)(A)9, which states: "The facility shall be clean at all times and free of dirt, insects, spiders, rodents, or other pests." On June 13, 2025, Compliance Inspector (CI) Cole Eddins completed an unannounced inspection and interviewed Caregiver Sarah Arhdekin. Sarah stated that she has observed cockroaches in the kitchen on more than one occasion. She would sometimes smell an awful odor as if a mouse had died at the facility. The smell would come and go. She has observed poop and pee stains left on the walls at the facility. These stains would be left on the walls for hours. On June 13, 2025, CI Eddins interviewed Parent A. She stated that on several occasions, she has observed cockroaches, mice, spiders, and other insects at the facility. She had observed cockroaches in the kitchen of the facility before she quit from the daycare in late May and early June of 2025. On June 17, 2025, CI Eddins interviewed Environmental Health Specialist Larry Wickersham. Larry stated that he found a few roaches, some dead and some alive, in the facility kitchen. On June 17, 2025, CI Eddins observed Larry's sanitation inspection report for the facility. CI Eddins observed Larry's deficiency notes, which state: "Observed: live and dead roaches in the kitchen and the bathroom. Required: No evidence of insects." On July 31, 2025, CI Eddins interviewed Larry, who stated that he observed cockroaches in the facility bathroom next to the kitchen. He observed about four or five cockroaches in the bathroom.
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 11/14/2025 12:00:00 AM
Disposition
SUBSTANTIATED
Disposition Date
8/11/2025 12:00:00 AM
Approving Supervisor
FOX, ROMENA