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On December 15, 2025, the Office of Childhood received and allegation that on December 12, 2025, director Julie Shin, placed an infant, Child A (5-months-old), in their crib on her side and with a bib on. A teacher, Jasmine Gehon found Child A with the bib covering their face when she returned from break. After completing an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Jackie Ruth found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following rule violations:
5 CSR 25-500.092(1)(B)2.G which states: "Cribs, portable cribs, and playpens shall be free of soft objects, loose bedding, or any object that can increase the risk of entrapment, suffocation, or strangulation. Examples include bumper pads, pillows, quilts, comforters, sleep positioning devices, sheepskins, blankets, flat sheets, cloth diapers, bibs, pillow-like toys, wedges, infant positioners, special mattresses, special sleep surfaces, and other similar items."
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5 CSR 25-500.182(2)(C)4.B. which states: "An infant's head and face shall remain uncovered during sleep."
On December 15, 2025, CI Ruth conducted an unannounced inspection of the facility and held in person interviews with director, Julie Shin, and caregivers, Kaley Winkeler, and Jasmine Gehon.
Julie stated that she did not recall if Child A (5-months-old) had a bib on when she put her in the crib, but she did lay Child A on her back. She said it was her mistake if she did not notice, and she accepts responsibility. Kaley and Jasmine stated that they both saw Child A in the crib asleep with a bib on, and Jasmine said Child A was on her side and the bib was covering her face. Jasmine said that Child A can roll onto her side, but cannot fully roll yet. Kaley said that Child B (5-months-old) also had a bib on, but she did not remove the bibs because she needed to feed another child first.
On December 15, 2025, CI Ruth observed a video clip that was recorded on December 12, 2025. The footage showed the director, Julie Shin, remove Child A from a bouncer seat and walk her into the crib area. Child A is observed to be asleep and she had a bib attached around her neck. Based on the positioning of the camera, CI Ruth was unable to observe the position in which Child A was laid in the crib.
On December 15, 2025, CI Ruth observed a text message thread from Jasmine to Kaley on Friday, December 12, 2025, and Saturday December 13, 2025. On Friday, Jasmine asked Kaley if the children were in their cribs when she entered the room. Kaley replied that they were and that Julie had laid them down. Jasmine then told Kaley that she had to remove a bib from Child A. In the texts on Saturday, Jasmine explained to Kaley that she filed a complaint about her safe sleep concerns involving Julie.
On December 17, 2025, Compliance Inspector (CI) Jackie Ruth observed the status of clock hour training for the staff members at Charlotte's Web Early Childhood Center LLC. All staff members listed are in compliance with the safe sleep requirement.
On December 17, 2025, Compliance Inspector (CI) Jackie Ruth conducted an interview with Parent A via phone. Parent A said that Julie talked to her about the situation, and she took full responsibility for the mistake. She had no excuses and was remorseful about the incident. Julie explained that they welcome the investigation and teaching opportunities on how to improve. She said that Child A and Child B (both age 5-months-old), can roll to their sides but not all the way to their stomachs and one of the children will almost always go to their side immediately upon being laid down.
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