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On January 29, 2026, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a complaint alleging that the facility has been without a director since September. Compliance Inspector (CI) Heather Radney conducted an investigation of the allegation and found it to be substantiated based on the following information:
5 CSR 25-500.102(2)(A)2. - Center directors and group child care home providers routinely shall be on duty during the hours of highest attendance a minimum of forty (40) hours per week. If the facility operates less than forty (40) hours per week, the center director or group child care home provider shall be on duty at least fifty percent (50%) of the operating hours.
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5 CSR 25-500.102(2)(A)3. - The licensee is required to maintain an approved certificated group child care home provider or center director on staff.
On January 30, 2026, Compliance Inspector (CI) Heather Radney conducted interviews with Assistant Director Karissa Jordan, LLC Member Cheryl Carter, Caregiver Lisa Parham and LLC Member Matthew Ridpath. Matthew reported Hailee was the director. She has been out on extended sick leave. He doesn't know when Hailee's last day was, but it has been a few months. Karissa reported Hailee is the director. Hailee has been out sick for a while. Hailee has been gone about six months. Lisa reported they do not currently have a director. Hailee had health issues in October. Karissa is the assistant director and has been in charge since Hailee left. Cheryl reported Hailee had medical issues and was gone often. Karissa is the assistant director and is in charge in Hailee's absence. Hailee has been on leave for six months. She told Hailee about one month ago that they were going to fill her position.
On March 17, 2026, CI Radney conducted an interview with Former Caregiver Hailey Erganian. She was let go about a month ago because they weren't sure if she would be able to come back. She had been on medical leave since September 2024. They text messaged her and let her know that they were letting her go on February 12, 2026. Cheryl messaged her and said they would need to look for a new director because they were unsure if she would be coming back or not.
On March 17, 2026, CI Radney communicated with Cheryl Carter via email. Cheryl reported that Hailee was paid in February 2026 for training hours she completed. Prior to that, she was paid in April of 2025. Then she went on Family Medical Leave and was unpaid, but maintained her position as director for six months.
On March 17, 2026, CI Radney conducted an interview with Cheryl. She reported that she told Hailee in September 2025 that she was expecting. She did not feel like Hailee could return as the director in September 2025. She told Hailee they would have to find another director in September 2025.
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