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MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

OFFICE OF CHILDHOOD - CHILD CARE COMPLIANCE

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION OF SUBSTANTIATED STATUTE OR RULE VIOLATIONS
Facility Information
Date of Report
8/18/2025 12:00:00 AM
DVN
000206262
Facility Name
LA PETITE ACADEMY, INC.
Facility Address
12836 TESSON FERRY RD
City
ST LOUIS
Zip Code
63128
Phone
(314) 842-3587
County
ST LOUIS
Assigned Specialist
HUGHES, CHRISTINE D
Rule/Statute Violation(s)
ViolationViolation Description
5 CSR 25-500.082(1)(A) The premises shall be safe and suitable for the care of children.
Conclusion Summary
On 18, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation of on August 13, 2025, at 2:15 p.m., Grandparent A picked up her grandchild from the facility and observed ceiling tiles leaking throughout the facility, black mold on the ceiling tiles in the infant/toddler room, and two teachers were vomiting. She spoke with the director and was informed that the owner has been notified but the situation has not been resolved. On August 19, 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 25-500.082(1)(A) which states: "The premises shall be safe and suitable for the care of children." On August 19, 2025, Compliance inspector (CI) conducted in person interviews with director Abigail Cooper and caregiver Tawnie Fangundes. Abigail stated that the mold has been there since she started a couple of months ago. She informed corporate about the situation. A dehumidifier appeared one day in one of the classrooms, but she was never notified as to where it came from. They moved the children to a different area. Tawnie stated that it was there last year, and they wiped it off. On August 19, 2025, CI Hughes observed mold on ceiling tiles in the main room. Mold was growing on pipes and caulk in the laundry room. Several ceiling tiles were wet in several classrooms. On August 28, 2025, CI Hughes received documentation from director Abigail Cooper stating that the facility failed the health and sanitation inspection due to mold and condensation in the HVAC system and on drop ceiling tiles..
Corrective Measures
Corrective MeasureCompleted (Y/N)Completed Date
The facility shall notify all staff members of the violations which were substantiated, and specify the actions to be taken by all staff in order to comply with all violations cited. A copy of the memo, letter, or staff meeting agenda shall be submitted to the Office of Childhood. Y 11/13/2025 12:00:00 AM
Disposition
SUBSTANTIATED
Disposition Date
10/15/2025 12:00:00 AM
Approving Supervisor
CHRISCO, MARLA L