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On January 16, 2026, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an anonymous allegation that Child A (4-years-old) was struck in the face by O2B Kids Wentzville staff Tanisha Ternan. Child A reached for an object and Tanisha smacked his hands away. Child A's hand got caught in Tanisha's hair and Tanisha's hair was pulled. Tanisha smacked Child A and his face hit the bookshelf behind him. 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 January 20, 2026, CI O'Malley conducted an unannounced inspection of the facility and observed video footage of the alleged incident. The footage is dated September 23, 2025, and lasts 59 seconds. The footage is in color and does not contain audio. The footage shows staff Tanisha Ternan, Child A (4-years-old), and three other children sitting at a table. Tanisha and Child A are facing the camera; the other three children are facing away from the camera. Child A appears to be upset and attempts to reach for something on the table several times; Tanisha pushes both of Child A's hands away from the table with her left arm. At 54 seconds, Child A grabs Tanisha's hair with his left hand. Child A turns his head away from Tanisha and appears to pull Tanisha's hair with both hands. Tanisha strikes Child A in the back of the head with her open right hand. Child A's forehead makes contact with a bookshelf as a result of the strike; Tanisha strikes the back of Child A's head, which forces Child A's head into the bookshelf. The bookshelf appears to move several inches. The video footage ends at 59 seconds.
CI O'Malley also conducted interviews with director Gabrielle Adkins and staff Christie Sigblom.
Staff Christie Sigblom stated that in September 2025, Tanisha texted staff Brittany Mesenbrink that Tanisha was frustrated with Child A's behaviors and a lack of support from Parent A. Tanisha refused to answer specific questions and Brittany began an internal investigation. Brittany reviewed video footage of Tanisha's classroom and discovered footage of Tanisha striking Child A in the face on September 23, 2025.
Director Gabrielle Adkins stated that Tanisha was terminated on September 24, 2025. Child A was disenrolled from the facility on December 29, 2025; Child A's siblings were withdrawn from the facility on January 20, 2026. Child A was disenrolled due to extreme behaviors that he exhibited since enrollment in August 2025.
On March 12, 2026, CI O'Malley conducted phone interviews with staff Brittany Mesenbrink, Parent A (parent of Child A), and former staff Tanisha Ternan.
Staff Brittany Mesenbrink stated that Tanisha texted her in the evening of September 23, 2025, saying that it had been a rough day due to Child A's behaviors. Brittany attempted to follow up over text, but Tanisha did not respond. On September 24, 2025, Parent A (parent of Child A) reported that Child A had said a teacher hit him in the face. Brittany reviewed video footage of Tanisha's classroom from the previous day and observed an incident between Tanisha and Child A. Child A appeared to be upset and grabbed Tanisha's hair; Tanisha immediately responded by slapping Child A on the back of the head. Tanisha was brought to the administrative office as soon as she arrived. Tanisha acknowledged that she struck Child A on the head the previous day. Tanisha was terminated and Parent A was informed of the incident and its consequence via phone.
Parent A (parent of Child A) stated that on the evening of September 23, 2025, Child A reported that his teacher had hit him. Parent A did not observe any marks or bruises on Child A. Parent A reported Child A's statement to Brittany on September 24, 2025. Parent A was contacted via phone later that morning, Brittany reported that the incident had been captured on video and Tanisha had been terminated. Parent A made a police report at the time and assumed that Children's Division was informed by the police. Parent A stated that Child A was disenrolled from the facility in December 2025 due to his behaviors.
Former staff Tanisha Ternan stated that she hit Child A on the head after Child A grabbed her hair in September 2025. Tanisha stated that she did not realize at first that she had struck Child A. Tanisha affirmed that she was terminated for cause the next day. Tanisha stated that she did not intend to hurt Child A; she stated that Child A pulled her hair, and she just reacted. Child A hit and bit her, himself, and other children every day he was at the facility. Tanisha was not aware if Child A had any behavioral diagnoses or medications.
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