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On November 3, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging Parent A picked up Child A (9 months old) on Friday, October 31, 2025, at around 4:30 p.m. When she picked him up, she was told by the teacher that Child A hit his chin on the ground, causing his gum to bleed. Parent A wasn't called and informed when the injury occurred. On Wednesday, October 29, 2025, mom was told that Child A was pulling up on his crib and bit his lower lip. Parents didn't get a phone call about this incident when it happened either. Compliance Inspector (CI) JD Greer conducted an investigation and found the allegations to be substantiated based on the following information:
5 CSR 25-500.192(5)(A) which states, "In case of accident or injury to a child, the provider shall notify the parent(s) immediately. If the child requires emergency medical care, the provider shall follow the parent's(s') written instructions."
On November 5, 2025, CI Greer interviewed Director Lauren Pauls, Center Manager Jillian Harris, Teacher Norma Griffith, and Teacher Lydia Ubben. Lauren stated on October 29, 2025, Child A (8 months old) bit his lower lip while pulling up on the crib. She does not know if Parent A (Parent of Child A) was contacted. There is no record that Parent A was contacted regarding the incident. On October 31, 2025, Child A was in the classroom and bumped his chin on a shelf. According to the classroom teachers, Child A was bleeding from the gums. Parent A was not notified until the end of the day. Center Manager Jillian Harris should have notified the parent immediately of the injury. Jillian stated on October 31, 2025, Lydia contacted her and told her Child A had a mouth injury. She was not aware that Parent's needed to be notified immediately of accidents and injuries. She did not contact Parent A about the injury. Norma stated she was present in the classroom on October 31, 2025, when Child A was injured. She did not see Child A fall as Lydia was right next to Child A and able to assist Child A. She saw that Child A had blood on his face and Lydia was cleaning his face and caring for him. Ms. Jillian was notified immediately by Lydia. After about five minutes, Ms. Jillian made her way into the classroom. Lydia had cleaned up the blood and Child A was no longer crying when Jillian came into the classroom. Lydia stated she was present in the classroom on October 31, 2025 with Norma and Child A. Child A was within a couple feet of her. She was setting up a bed and heard a light smack. It appeared Child A had bumped his mouth on the shelf and fell down. Child A's mouth was bloody, and she cleaned up the blood and comforted him. She called Jillian immediately and told her Child A had hit his mouth and it was very bloody. She called Jillian a second time because she had not come to the classroom. It took about five minutes for Jillian to come to the classroom. She told Jillian that Child A was bleeding from the gums. Jillian saw the blood on Child A's gums. Jillian agreed that there was blood coming from his gums. Jillian said she would call Parent A. She does not know if Parent A was notified or not.
On November 24, 2025, CI Greer interviewed Parent A (Parent of Child A), who stated she was not notified of Child A's injury on October 29, 2025. She was not notified of Child A's injury on October 31, 2025.
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