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On June 18, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation of teacher Vester reached into a "play thing" and pulled an unknown female child out by her arm. The child was dangling in the air. Vester threw the child onto the floor. Vester also dug her nails into the child's side. On June 18, 2025, Compliance Inspector (CI) Christy Hughes conducted an unannounced inspection of the facility and found the allegations to be substantiated based on the following information.
5 CSR 25-500.102(1)(E) which states: "Caregivers shall have knowledge of the needs of children and shall be
sensitive to the capabilities, interests, and problems of children in care."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)3. which states: "Only constructive, age-appropriate methods of discipline shall be used to help children develop self-control and assume responsibility for their own actions."
AND
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 25-500.192(5)(A) which states: "In case of accident or injury to a child, the provider shall notify the parent(s) immediately. If the child requires emergency medical care, the provider shall follow the parent's(s') written instructions."
On June 18, 2025, Compliance Inspector (CI) Christy Hughes conducted in person interviews with director Emma Anderson, caregivers Victoria "Vesper" Harrington, Nancy Mills, Irma Bradley and Child A.
Emma stated that she did not have any concerns with Vesper, and she did observe the video. Vesper went to pick Child A up and accidently scratched her on the arm. Child A was hurting friends. Vesper apologized to Child A. She washed the scratch out with soap and water. She could have picked Child A up more gently. A report was written but she doesn't think it was given to Parent A and no one notified Parent A regarding the injury.
Vesper stated that she went to pick up Child A and accidently scratched her on the arm. She could have picked her up more gently. Child A was throwing her shoes. She apologized to Child A and washed off the scratch. She was in the classroom by herself and a report was written but not given to Parent A nor was Parent A notified of the injury to Child A.
Irma stated that she looked over to see what was happening because Child A was screaming so loud. She did not feel the interaction was appropriate and feels that is very common behavior for Vesper with the children. Child A was having a rough day.
Child A stated that Ms. Vesper scratched her and she cried and showed Parent A when she got home.
On June 18, 2025, Compliance Inspector (CI) Christy Hughes observed a video showing Victoria "Vesper" approaching Child A on the floor in the dramatic play area. Vesper abruptly got up from her chair, looked towards the door, struggled with Child A and grabbed her by the hands and pulled her off of the floor. She continued to hold Child A tightly as Child A was kicking her legs and was struggling to be put down. After approximately 2 minutes and 20 seconds of restraining Child A in her arms while Child A continued struggling, Vester placed her back down on the floor. The time on the video footage showed Vester picking up Child A at approximately 15:07:37 and then putting her down on the floor on her feet at approximately 15:09:53. The video footage did not show Vesper throwing Child A on the floor.
CI Hughes also observed scratches on Child A.
On July 16, 2025, (CI) Hughes conducted an interview via phone with Parent A. Parent A stated that she does not want to talk to anyone else about the incident. She does not have any issues and doesn't understand why the reporter got her involved.
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