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On December 11, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that on December 10, 2025, at approximately 4:00 p.m., Nanny's Early Learning Center staff Amiyah Rainey had an unknown object from the science area in her fist and hit Child A (3-years-old) in the face with her fist and the object leaving a red mark on Child A. On the same day around the same time frame, Amiyah grabbed up Child B (3-yearsold) by the wrists. 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)3 states, "Only constructive, age-appropriate methods of discipline shall be used to help children develop self-control and assume responsibility for their own actions."
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5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)7 states: "Physical punishment including, but not limited to, spanking, slapping, shaking, biting, or pulling hair shall be prohibited."
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5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)8 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."
On December 15, 2025, CI O'Malley conducted an unannounced inspection of the facility and observed video footage of the incident involving Child A. The video does not show a date or timestamp; the video is 12 seconds long. The video is in color and contains audio. The video shows Amiyah sitting on the floor; Child A is laying on the floor to Amiyah's right with Child A's head towards Amiyah. Child A is partially obscured by a table. At 8 seconds, Amiyah picks up a round, white object and strikes Child A in the face. Child A rolls away from Amiyah and cries. The video ends at 12 seconds.
CI O'Malley also observed video footage of the incident involving Child B. The video does not show a date or timestamp; the video is 27 seconds long. The video is in color and contains audio. At 19 seconds, Amiyah approaches Child B from behind, grasps him by both wrists, and lifts him off the floor. Amiyah carries Child B several feet by his wrists, Amiyah then throws Child B to the floor. Child B lands on his right hand and rolls onto his back, the back of his head makes contact with a wall. Child B cries and Amiyah turns her back to him. The video ends at 27 seconds.
CI O'Malley also observed the round, white object, which measured approximately four inches across and weighed approximately one ounce.
CI O'Malley conducted an interview with director Jalisa Coleman, who stated that on the afternoon of Wednesday, December 10, 2025, she was approached by staff Ashley Cisco, who reported that staff Amiyah Rainey had struck Child A in the face with a toy. Jalisa reviewed video footage and witnessed Amiyah striking Child A in the face with a toy fossil from the science area. While reviewing the video, she witnessed Amiyah pick up Child B by his wrists. Amiyah carried Child B several feet without Child B's feet touching the floor, Amiyah then dropped Child B to the floor. Amiyah was terminated on December 10, 2025.
On December 29, 2025, CI O'Malley attempted to conduct a phone interview with Parent A (parent of Child A). Parent A declined the phone call after CI O'Malley left his name and reason for calling.
CI O'Malley conducted a phone interview with Parent B (parent of Child B), who stated that she was contacted by Jalisa immediately after the incident on December 10, 2025. Jalisa gave a verbal report of the incident and asked Parent B to come to the facility to view video footage of the incident. Parent B was satisfied with Child B's care and Child B was still enrolled at the facility.
CI O'Malley attempted to conduct a phone interview with former staff Amiyah Rainey, who hung up the phone after CI O'Malley identified himself.
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