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On October 3, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging "Around noon/1:00 p.m. on October 2, 2025, Debra Parks might have possibly had her knee on Child A's back." After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Caylin Mertz has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence and rule violation:
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."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)9 which states "Punishment or threat of punishment shall not be associated with food, rest, or toilet training."
On October 6, 2025, CI Caylin Mertz conducted an unannounced inspection and walkthrough at the facility. Over the course of this investigation, CI Mertz interviewed Director Holly Conner, Caregiver Julia Miller, Caregiver Addi Summers, Caregiver Debra Parks, Caregiver Jessica Hembrough and Parent A (Child A's Mother). Debra indicated on the date in question, Child A was having a hard time at nap time. She indicates she rested her shin on the edge of the child's cot and put her knee in the child's back without putting any weight on him. She indicated she did this to help him calm down and go to sleep. Jessica and Julia witnessed this incident. They both indicated Child A was screaming, and Jessica indicated Child A was moving his head back and forth as well. Addi was in the room at the time of the incident but did not see what occurred. She did hear Child A crying but was not sure why. Holly indicated once she was notified of the incidents she collected written statements from each of the involved caregivers. CI Mertz observed those statements to be consistent with the information provided in interviews with CI Mertz. Parent A indicated Holly called her at approximately 3:30 p.m. and told her that during nap time, another staff member witnessed a teacher holding Child A down with her knee.
Based on the information received, it is evident that Debra was attempting to modify Child A's behavior when she used physical discipline by placing her knee in the child's back to prevent him from getting off of his cot in hopes that he would lay down and take a nap.
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