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On January 16, 2026, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging on January 15, 2026, around 3:30, Makiya Cannon was around the reporter and two other staff members boasting in a way about putting their hands on a child at the facility. Child A is in the 4 and 5-year-old room Makiya works in. She explained that she hit Child A's arm when he took a bottle of glue from her desk. She then explained how he cried and pouted for several minutes and expressed that he "has clearly never been hit before." Compliance Inspector (CI) JD Greer conducted an investigation and found the allegation to be substantiated based on the following information:
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)7. which states, "Physical punishment including, but not limited to, spanking, slapping, shaking, biting, or pulling hair shall be prohibited."
On January 21, 2026, CI Greer interviewed Managing Member Angie Watkins, Teacher Sam Massey, Teacher Bailey Vanross, and Teacher Kenzie Fricke. Angie stated on January 15, 2026, Teacher Sam Massey informed her that Makiya had said she hit Child A. Sam stated on January 15, 2026, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Makiya stated Child A took a bottle, and she hit him in the shoulder. Kenzie stated on Thursday January 15, 2026, before 4:00 p.m., she was in the hallway talking to Sam and Bailey. Makiya exited her classroom and said she hit Child A, and he was crying about it. Makiya said she could tell he hasn't been hit before by the way he was crying. Bailey stated on January 15, 2026, she was in the hallway with Sam and Kenzie. Makiya came out of her classroom and was bragging about hitting Child A. Makiya said Child A stole glue and ran away. Makiya stated she smacked him on the arm.
On January 21, 2026, CI Greer reviewed text messages from Makiya Cannon that were sent to Skyler Petit on January 15, 2026, and observed the first message says, "Hey don't tell anyone what I said about [Child A] today." The second message says, "That I hit his shoulder."
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