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On September 11, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that: On September 10, 2025, Child A (age 2-years-old), was restrained to a table by his wrist being attached to a Velcro band that had a bungee cord that attached to the table during a group activity. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Michelle Honea has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence:
5 CSR 25-500.102(1)(E)., which states: "Caregivers shall have knowledge of the needs of children and shall be sensitive to the capabilities, interests, and problems of children in care."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)8., which states: "No discipline technique which is humiliating, threatening, or frightening to children shall be used. Children shall not be shamed, ridiculed, or spoken to harshly, abusively, or with profanity."
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."
On September 11, 2025, Compliance Inspector (CI) Michelle Honea conducted an unannounced inspection to the facility and interviewed Director Amanda Tilford, teachers Kaitline Halvorson, Mary Katheryn Shoemaker, Zoey, Scoggins, Kierstin Kent, Washeka Warren and Olivia Tilford.
Amanda stated that she did not know that on September 10, 2025, any teachers had strapped Child A to a table. The teachers will use the walking strap with Child A from the classroom to the bathroom or from the classroom to going outside but never to be strapped done. Teachers Kaitline, Kiersten, Mary Katheryn, Olivia, Washeka and Zoey Scoggins all stated that the walking strap was not used for punishment but to guide Child A through the halls to the other activities. All staff stated that no one talked to the parents or obtained permission to use the walking strap on Child A. Kaitline stated that the walking strap is used on Child A because he moves a lot and cannot hear a verbal command. On September 10, 2025, they all combined in the worship area. A teacher brought her Child A to hang onto. She did not want to stand there holding Child A's hand so she connected the end that goes around the teacher's wrist to the table leg and the other strap was around Child A's wrist. Nothing was done in a mean manner or as punishment. No one took the strap off because Child A would run away from them. She has never seen Child A or any child strapped to furniture before, but Child A would be connected to a teacher. She does not have an excuse as to why she connected Child A to the table. She understands it was wrong and would not do it again.
Zoey and Washeka both stated that they saw Kaitline strap Child A to the table leg and did not stop it and did not say anything. They felt bad and knew it was wrong.
*Technical Assistance was provided by CI Honea to all staff with different ideas of how to handle runners and how the other teachers can assist and that they cannot use the walking strap or restrain any children in any way.
On October 11, 2025, Compliance Inspection (CI) Michelle Honea observed the blue walking strap that was used on Child A to strap him to a table in the worship area. The blue strap had two Velcro straps that go around the wrist connected by a blue cord. CI Honea observed photos of Child A strapped to the table and three teachers around Child A. Child A had the strap on his right wrist and the other strap was around the table leg. CI Honea observed from the photo that Child A was not upset but had a grin on his face.
On September 18, 2025, Compliance Inspector (CI) Michelle Honea conducted a phone interview with Parent A who stated that the facility uses the playground app for all correspondence, posting updates, or whatever happens that day to the parents. The problem is all parents can see what is going on with each child. Apparently during praise / worship time on September 10, 2025, the teachers strapped Child A to the table for whatever reason. At pickup they talked to the director outside about the situation. Director Amanda Tilford stated she did not know what happened but would look into it tomorrow. Not one teacher said anything about the situation. Parent A never gave the facility permission to use the strap for any reason. He is very angry and wants the facility to be held accountable. Child A no longer goes to the facility.
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