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On July 25, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a complaint alleging on July 24, 2025, Parent A, who is also a LLC Member, was helping out in one of the rooms to keep in ratio. Child B was having a rough day. While trying to talk to Child B, Parent A asked Child B if he would like to be hit by another child, specifically Child A, Parent A's son. When Child B answered yes, Parent A told her son to hit Child B. At this point, Child A hit Child B with a closed fist. Child B then hit Child A with a closed fist, and a small fight ensued. Upon seeing what was going on, Parent A then grabbed Child B by both of his wrists and "walked him" over to the table. While walking him to the table, Child B stated he was able to get in a couple steps as she was moving too fast and he was mostly dragged to the table. When Parent A got Child B to the table, she then forcibly held him in a seat to make him unable to move or react to being dragged and held into the seat. Compliance Inspector (CI) JD Greer conducted an unannounced investigation and found the allegations to be substantiated based on the following information:
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)11. which states, "Children shall not be permitted to intimidate or harm others, harm themselves, or destroy property."
On July 28, 2025, CI Greer interviewed Director Jennifer Campbell, Teacher Kiersten Carter, and Child B (5 years old). Jennifer stated she was approached by Kiersten. Kiersten told Jennifer that Parent A (Parent of Child A and a LLC Member) came into her room to assist with Child B. Parent A asked Child B if he liked being hit. Parent A told Child A to punch Child B. Kiersten stated she witnessed a concerning incident on July 24, 2025. Parent A came into her classroom to assist with Child B at approximately 3:30 or 4:00 p.m. Child B was very upset and not wanting to listen. Parent A said to Child B, "Would you like it if someone hit you?" Child B responded, "Yes, I would." Parent A said to Child A, "Hit him." Child A hit Child B. Child B stated that a few days ago, Parent A told Child A to hit him. Child A hit him.
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)7. which states, "Physical punishment including, but not limited to, spanking, slapping, shaking, biting, or pulling hair shall be prohibited."
On July 28, 2025, Compliance Inspector (CI) JD Greer interviewed Teacher Kiersten Carter, Teacher Heather Larson, and Child B (5 years old). Kiersten stated Parent A grabbed Child B by both wrists and walked quickly with him over to a table approximately 10 feet away. Child A was not able to keep up and his feet were dragging. Parent A sat Child B down in the chair. Parent A was kneeling in front of Child B, holding his wrists. She would hold his legs near his knees when he tried to kick. Parent A did not let Child B get up from the chair for approximately 1.5 minutes. Parent A kept holding his hands and wrists. Child B stated Parent A made him walk over to a chair and sit down. She was going really fast and his feet kept slipping. She would not let him get up from the chair. Heather stated in the afternoon she was turning around and saw Parent A holding Child B by the arms. Parent A was dragging Child A from one side of the classroom to the other. Child A was not able to keep his feet underneath him because of how quickly Parent A was moving.
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