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On October 6, 2025, the Office of Childhood received an allegation that the toilets in the facility are not working today and they are down to 3 working toilets in the entire building. Parents have not been notified and children are present. There is a strong sewage smell in the Culinary Room and outside of the building. The director put in an emergency order for a plumber to come out but they have not fixed the problem. After completing an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Jackie Ruth found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following rule violation:
5 CSR 25-500.082(3)(A)1. which states: "One (1) flush toilet and one (1) adjacent handwashing facility with running water shall be available for every twenty (20) children."
On October 6, 2025, CI Ruth conducted an unannounced inspection of the facility and interviewed the director, Rachel Wilfley. Rachel stated that they came in to a plumbing issue that morning and they had five toilets that were working and available. She stated that they moved children around so that every child that is potty trained and uses the restroom had convenient access to one. She reached out to cooperate for direction and then called a plumber. The plumber came out that morning and told her it is an issue with the pumps and the lift station. They said they would send a team out that afternoon to clear the blockage. She said that some staff members came to her with concerns about the issue, but she was already doing everything in her power to solve the problem.
On October 6, 2025, Compliance Inspector (CI) Jackie Ruth conducted an unannounced inspection of the facility and observed that there were five working toilets but the facility's capacity is 305 so they need 11 more working toilets to be in compliance. CI Ruth also observed no noticeable odors outside of the building. During the inspection, when CI Ruth observed the outdoor play space, there was a sewage odor present that was likely from the plumbers actively working. CI Ruth observed a smell in the culinary room that may have been from the sewer back up, but also smelled like cooking spices. Rachel told CI Ruth that the smell was worse that morning.
CI Ruth also observed the work order summary that the director, Rachel Wilfley, submitted for the plumbing issue. It was submitted on October 6, 2025 at 8:16 a.m. and was labeled as an emergency priority.
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