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On August 7, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging that on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, parts of the building were flooded. The staff are cleaning the building today, but the reporter has concerns that they are not cleaning properly, and mold will start/has already started to grow in the building. 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 25-500.082(1)(A) which states: "The premises shall be safe and suitable for the care of children."
and
5 CSR 25-500.082(2)(A)5 which states: "The facility shall be dry, temperature controlled, well-ventilated and free of drafts. Children shall not be overheated or chilled. The temperature of the rooms shall be no less than sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit (68F) and no more than eighty-five degrees Fahrenheit (85F) when measured two feet (2') from the floor.
On August 12, 2025, CI Eddins conducted an unannounced inspection and interviewed Center Coordinator Nancy Sample, Program Coordinator Tamara Jimenez, Caregiver Christina Edwards, and Caregiver Cameron Edwards. CI Eddins also interviewed Director Amie Herrin. All staff members provided consistent information. All staff members stated that on August 6, 2025, at around 10:30 a.m., 3-year-old classroom 122 and 5-year-old classroom 131 were flooded with about an inch or less of water during a quick rain shower. The facility was undergoing roof construction when a rain shower poured rainwater into both classrooms for around 15 to 20 minutes. The rain caused water damage to the ceiling tiles of both classrooms and soaked most equipment and furniture. Staff stated that they had mold concerns throughout the entire building, as they had observed water spots in the ceiling tiles throughout the facility. Most mold concerns were related to classroom 122 and classroom 131; however, Tamara, Christina, and Cameron have observed possible mold locations in the hallway ceiling tiles throughout the facility. Staff were concerned that mold was possibly spreading throughout the rest of the facility. Nancy and Amie stated that they have found evidence of mold in classroom 122 and classroom 131, but no other locations.
On August 12, 2025, CI Eddins conducted a walkthrough of the facility and observed the 3-year-old classroom and 5-year-old classroom located in the back of the facility. CI Eddins observed trash cans, buckets, multiple operating fans, Servpro Max fans, towels, missing ceiling tiles, and wet stains throughout both classrooms. CI Eddins observed obvious signs of a flood as all toys and most equipment were out of both rooms.
On August 13, 2025, CI Eddins attempted to interview Parent A and Parent C. Neither parent responded. CI Eddins left messages. CI Eddins interviewed Parent B. Parent B stated that she received a phone call from Amie notifying her to come pick up her child immediately after the flooding occurred on August 6, 2025. She heard that two of the older kids' classrooms were affected by rainwater.
On September 3, 2025, CI Eddins interviewed Environmental Health Specialist Larry Wickersham. He cited the facility for observing water damage in the back two classrooms due to roof leaks. The affected classrooms were the 3-year-old and 5-year-old classrooms. The rule he cited for the water damage was that the facility shall be in good repair. He observed what appeared to be mold above the ceiling tiles near the back two classrooms. It was hard to tell without being on a ladder, but it may have been mold. He had heard that other Environmental Health specialists were out at the facility, and they observed mold in the back two classrooms. The rule he cited for the mold was that the facility shall be well ventilated, have no evidence of mold, and noxious or harmful odors.
On September 3, 2025, CI Eddins observed Larry's sanitation report, which is not approved. The report stated that Larry observed water damage in two classrooms due to a roof leak. It is required for the facility to be in good repair. Larry also observed possible signs of mold above ceiling tiles near insulation in two classrooms. It is required for the facility to have no evidence of mold.
5 CSR 25-500.082(3)(C)1. which states: "One (1) flush toilet and one (1) adjacent handwashing facility with running water shall be available for every twenty-four (24) children in an infant/toddler unit."
and
5 CSR 25-500.082(1)(B) which states and "The premises shall conform to the fire and safety requirements of the State Fire Marshal or his/her designee and requirements for state or local zoning, building and sanitation."
On August 12, 2025, CI Eddins conducted an unannounced inspection and interviewed Nancy and Tammara, who stated that during the mix-up with the rain, they swapped the 3-year-old classroom and the infants' classrooms until rooms 122 and 131 were repaired and mold-free. The 3-year-old children are currently kept in the infant room located near the front office, and the infants are kept in the old infant room, community room 107. Community room 107 contained all infant space requirements except for a connecting bathroom. Community room 107 was located down the hallway. The community room does not contain a bathroom. They wanted the 3-year-olds to have bathroom access, which the infant room closest to the front office had. The classrooms were swapped on August 8, 2025.
CI Eddins interviewed Cameron, who stated that due to the rain damage in rooms 122 and 131, his 3-year-old children have been placed in the infant room located near the front office. He has remained in the infant room with his 3-year-old kids since August 3, 2025, so his children could have access to a connecting bathroom. The infants that were in his new classroom were moved to the community room, which did not have a connecting bathroom. He did not have any staff, supervision, or ratio-related concerns.
On August 12, 2025, CI Eddins conducted a walkthrough of the facility and observed the facility's narrative and physical layout. CI Eddins observed that the facility was only approved for two infant and toddler classrooms. The old infant room (community room 107) was not approved for infant/toddler space. Infant area one, the room which contained the seven 3-year-olds, was approved for up to eight infants/toddlers.
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