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On August 1, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a complaint alleging that in the infant classroom, there are infants left in the swings when they are sleeping with blankets that cover them, along with an infant in a crib, who another adult believes can't roll yet and was completely covered with a blanket over their head. It has happened four to five times where the infants have been asleep in the swings. This was observed again on July 31, 2025. Compliance Inspector (CI) Heather Radney conducted an investigation of the allegation and found it to be substantiated based on the following information:
5 CSR 25-500.092(1)(B)2.H. - Blankets or other soft or loose bedding shall not be hung on the sides of cribs or put under the fitted sheet. Only sleep clothing that is designed to keep an infant warm without the possible hazard of covering the head or face may be used during sleep or nap time.
AND
5 CSR 25-500.092(1)(B)2.I. - Sitting devices such as car safety seats, strollers, swings, infant carriers, infant slings, and other sitting devices shall not be used for sleep/nap time. Infants who fall asleep anywhere other than a crib, portable crib, or playpen shall be placed in the crib or playpen for the remainder of their sleep or nap time.
On August 1, 2025, Compliance Inspector (CI) Heather Radney conducted an interview with Neena Gill. She reported she has told Wendy Yeubanks not to allow children to sleep in swings.
On August 1, 2025, CI Radney conducted an unannounced inspection of the facility. In one infant/toddler classroom, CI Radney observed safe sleep violations upon entering the infant/toddler room. An infant, 5-months-old, was asleep in a swing. An infant, 9-months-old, was asleep in a crib with a blanket hanging over the side of the crib. An infant, 10-months-old, was awake in a crib with a blanket in the crib. An infant, 9-months-old, was awake in a crib with a bottle, blanket and soft toy. Wendy Yeubanks was sitting in the rocking chair holding an infant. Sophia Ross was walking around the classroom.
On September 25, 2025, CI Radney conducted interviews with Wendy Yeubanks and Sophia Ross. Wendy reported that she took safe sleep training when she started in 2021 and takes it every two years. She took safe sleep training about three weeks ago. Neena has told them that they can't have the blankets in the crib, and they can't sleep in anything but the crib. Neena has also told them if they have a binky, it can't have anything tied to it. She is aware that not following safe sleep practices is a rule violation. She learned about safe sleep practices from the video training and in-person training. Sophia reported she took safe sleep training online. Neena has told her not to allow babies to sleep in swings and to put them on their backs in a crib with no blanket. She knows it is a rule violation if they don't follow safe sleep practices. She learned about safe sleep doing the online classes, and she learned from the other teachers.
On September 29, 2025, CI Radney received and reviewed training logs for Wendy Yeubanks and Sophia Ross. Wendy completed safe sleep training on March 14, 2025, and Sophia completed safe sleep training on February 3, 2025.
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