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On June 23, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that there is video footage of a child who was left in a classroom for more than 5 minutes, 2yo. This took place June 11th between 9:20am and the video goes until 9:25.On June 24, 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 25-500.182(1)(A)3. which states: "Caregivers shall provide frequent, direct contact so children are not left
unobserved on the premises."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)1. which states: " Caregivers shall not leave any child without competent supervision."
On June 23, 2025, CI Hughes conducted an in-person interview with director Christine Smith. Christine stated that staff member Anna Bella Koch reported to her that she accidently left Child A (3-years-old) inside while they went outside. Christine self-reported the incident to her Compliance Inspector Theresa Broz. She reviewed the footage on video and the timeframe was approximately 3 minutes. Anna Bella Koch received a written warning and retraining. She no longer works at the facility.
On June 24, 2025, CI Hughes observed video footage of staff member Anna Bella Koch gathering her children to go outside. Child A (3-years-old) was still sitting at the table eating his snack. The class went outside at approximately 9:22 a.m. Anna Bella Koch noticed Child A was missing and opened the door for him to come out at 9:25 a.m. Child A appeared to be happy and not frightened.
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