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On November 12, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that on March 28, 2025, at naptime, around 12:30 p.m., the Goddard School staff Allie Johnson placed her leg over Child A (20-months-old), and Child B (2-years-old), to get them to sleep. Child A and Child B were screaming while Allie's leg was over them. Unknown if any injuries occurred after this incident. The reporter stated that the incident seemed forceful. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Patrick O'Malley has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence:
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)2., which states: "Expectations for a child's behavior shall be appropriate for the developmental level of that child."
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."
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)9., which states: "Punishment or threat of punishment shall not be associated with food, rest, or toilet training."
On November 13, 2025, CI O'Malley conducted an unannounced inspection of the facility and observed a personnel action form for staff Allie Johnson, dated April 9, 2025, that shows, "Allie placed her legs across two children during nap time to get them to stay on their cots and sleep." CI O'Malley conducted interviews with director Hope Huels and staff Zoe Burmann.
Staff Zoe Burmann stated that staff Allie Johnson was disciplined for placing her legs across two children to prevent them from getting up during nap time. Allie was retrained on napping strategies and giving children quiet activities when they would not nap. It was made clear to Allie that children could not be restrained in any way.
Director Hope Huels affirmed that Allie was disciplined for placing her legs across two children to prevent them from getting up during nap time.
On December 19, 2025, CI O'Malley conducted phone interviews with Parent A (parent of Child A) and Parent B (parent of Child B). Parent A stated that she was informed of the incident immediately after it occurred in March 2025. Child A had multiple developmental diagnoses and required physical pressure to fall asleep. Parent A did not present the facility with any doctors' notes or treatment plans for Child A that included applied pressure from a staff member. Child A had grown out of his need for physical pressure to fall asleep. Parent A was satisfied with Child A's care at the facility.
Parent B stated that she did not recall being informed of any incidents involving Allie placing her legs over Child B while Child B attempted to sleep. Child B did not like to take naps and Parent B had received multiple reports of Child B being allowed to stay up and work on a quiet activity. Child B liked Allie and talked about her all the time. Child B was not afraid of Allie and looked forward to going to the facility. Parent B was satisfied with Child B's care at the facility.
On December 23, 2025, CI O'Malley conducted a phone interview with staff Allie Johnson, who stated that she placed a single leg over Child A during naptime. Child A required physical pressure to fall asleep. Allie had verbal permission from Parent A to provide pressure to Child A during naptime. Allie denied that Child A was restrained in any way; he could have gotten up any time that he wanted. Allie did not know that placing a leg over a child to nap was not allowed. Allie denied ever placing her legs on Child B.
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