| Conclusion Summary |
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On July 16, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging that on July 15, Child A was trying to bite Caregiver Kevanah, and the worker grabbed the child's mouth, giving the child a pucker face. She had the child by the chin with one hand. Another teacher said that Kevanah put a child on a cot not lightly. 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 that occurred at the facility:
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)6. which states: "Firm, positive statements or redirection of behavior shall be used with infants and toddlers."
and
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)9. which states: "Punishment or threat of punishment shall not be associated with food, rest, or toilet training."
On July 18, 2025, CI Eddins conducted an unannounced inspection and interviewed Director Sandra Milleson, Assistant Director Breanna Parrish, Caregiver Hannah Lickteig, and Caregiver Kyli Lothamer. On September 12, 2025, CI Eddins interviewed Sandra and Brea again. Sandra and Breanna stated that they did not observe the incidents, but they had heard from Kyli and Caregiver Freesia Floyd that they observed former Caregiver Kevanna Pinter grab Child A's face after Child A tried to bite her on July 15, 2025. This occurred at approximately 4:00 p.m. on July 15, 2025. Caregiver Katelynn Whetstone told them that she observed Kevanna roughly place Child A down on the cot on July 10, 2025. Sandra and Bree both stated that they did not have any reason to doubt Kyli, Freesia, or Katelynn about their statements of concern. The caregivers who complained about Kevanna's interactions with Child A were trustworthy caregivers who rarely complained about other staff.
Hannah stated that she heard from Katelynn that she observed Kevanna roughly place Child A down on his cot on July 10, 2025. Kyli stated that on July 15, 2025, she observed Child A attempting to bite Kevanna on her knee. Kevanna grabbed Child A's face in response and told Child A to stop. Child A looked shocked with a wide-eyed yes. Child A did not cry or receive any injuries from this interaction.
On July 18, 2025, CI Eddins conducted an unannounced inspection and observed the accident report made for Child A on July 15, 2025, stating that Freesia observed the teacher grab Child A's face and squish his cheeks. CI Eddins observed the incident report made by Katelynn on July 10, 2025, which stated that she observed Kevanna place Child A down forcefully on his cot during nap time.
On July 22, 2025, CI Eddins interviewed Freesia and Parent A. Parent A stated that he heard about an incident from Sandra that Child A tried to bite Kevanna and Kevanna pushed his face away. Freesia stated that on July 15, 2025, she observed Kevanna roughly grab Child A's mouth after Child A tried to bite her at around 3:30 p.m. Child A appeared wide-eyed and shocked that his face was grabbed.
On August 8, 2025, CI Eddins interviewed Caregiver Katelynn, who stated that she observed Kevanna place Child A down on a cot in a rough manner. She observed Child A bite his tongue and hit his head when placed on his cot. Child A started to bleed from an old bump on his forehead. She could not remember when the incident occurred, but she guessed it happened sometime in July 2025.
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