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Compliance Inspector (CI) Jessica Graham investigated the allegation that on February 9, 2026, at approximately 4:30 p.m., Child A (age 4-years-old) had been left alone and unsupervised in a bathroom while his class transitioned outdoors. Staff failed to complete a proper head count. Child A was left alone for approximately 25 minutes. This allegation is substantiated based on the following rule violations.
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)1. which states: "Caregivers shall not leave any child without competent supervision."
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5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)3. which states: "Caregivers shall provide frequent, direct contact so children are not left unobserved on the premises.
On February 17, 2026, Parent A said she was told that Caitlyn Artinger, caregiver, found Child A in a bathroom. She later found out that information was not acurate and that Child A was found in his classroom.
On February 18, 2026, director Katelyn Sims said that she received a call from Caitlin Artinger, caregiver, around 4:04 p.m. saying that Child A was found upstairs by himself inside the bathroom. She later found out that Child A was found in the doorway of the bathroom sitting on the floor, crying and upset. His class and the other classroom in that area were outside. She instructed Caitlyn to go to the caregivers and asked them how this happened. Caregivers Lizzie Strauser and Paige Schlichting were in charge of the two classrooms upstairs but Lizzie was Child A's main caregiver. Caitlyn said that neither caregiver was aware that Child A was missing until she told them that she had him. Katelyn called Ali Welch, board president to inform her what happened and Ali said she would be in touch with the parents. Katelyn instructed the caregivers to fill out a report about the incident.
Caitlyn said she went upstairs to Child A's classroom around 3:45 p.m. and could hear running and crying. She looked around and saw Child A in the corner. He was crying and shaking and sweating. She asked him if he was by himself and he said yes. He told her he was going to the bathroom and everyone left him. Caitlyn asked Lizzie and Paige, who were outside, if they had all their children and they both said yes. She asked if they had their attendance rosters and Paige said yes but Lizzie said no. She called Katelyn to let her know what happened and Katelyn said she would report to Ali. She spoke with Parent B when he arrived to pick up Child A and told him what happened. She guessed that Child A was left alone for about 25 minutes.
Lizzie said that she was with Child A and eight other children and was lining them up to go outside. One child needed assistance with a shoe and Child A had asked to go to the bathroom. She did not do a head count before going outside and did not do a head count once they got outside. She did not take her attendance roster with her outside. She did not realize that Child A was missing until Caitlyn came outside with him.
CI Graham attempted to call Ali Welch, board president, but no contact was made.
On February 18, 2026, CI Graham viewed a written warning for Lizzie Strauser, caregiver, from Ali Welch, board president dated February 12, 2026. The warning stated:
"Went outside with the Brooks class without doing a proper head count and forgot a child in the bathroom."
On February 18, 2026, CI Graham observed a group text message from Ali Welch, board president, and Lizzie Strauser and Paige on February 9, 2026 at 4:33 p.m. that stated :
Ali-"Hi ladies. Caitlyn told us about the situation with Child A. I am required to let the parents know so I sent the email below. We will have to give you both a written warning and will discuss it more in person. While you are there this evening please make sure you are counting children every time you inside/outside/to a different room. Thank you!"
A copy of the email was inserted.
Ali-"Thank you for letting us know Caitlyn. I let the parents know and we will be speaking with the girls tomorrow"
Caitlyn-"you're welcome he like scared me a little bit, i walked up and just heard him crying and i found him like balled up in the corner crying and shaking and i asked what happened and he said that he got left up here, so i gave him a hug and calmed him down i then walked outside and asked him about it and they didn't even know that they left him paige said that she had went outside first (she's working in my room) and then lizzie went second (working in the brooks) and i asked if they knew if they had the right amount of kinds and they both said yes and i told them about Child A and they both kinda just froze, i asked Child A if he wanted to stay outside with them or if he wanted to hangout with me inside and he chose to handout with me while i cleaned up a little bit and until he calmed down a little more he then went outside but kinda just stayed to himself. i just wanted to let you guys know asap!"
Ali-"Thank you you did all the right things. We appreciate it and we will definitely be handling it. Poor guy:("
On Februray 18, 2026, CI Graham reviewed a report of accident, injury, and/or emergency medical care for Child A dated February 12, 2026. The caregivers names listed on the report were Lizzie Strauser, Katleyn Sims, Paige Schlichting and Caitlyn Artinger. The report was written and signed by Ali Welch, board president.
Description of Incident (who, what when, how, marks, bruises, etc.)
"On 2/9/26, Katleyn called me to alert me that Cailtyn had called her to report that she got Child A from the bathroom on the cascades side after his class had already went outside. I messaged the afternoon teachers to make sure they are following proper procedures and policies and emailed the parents immediatly in an effort to be transparent. I had a discussion/training session with the afternoon teachers and gave them each a written warning. A phone call meeting took place between the parents, Katelyn and myself where we discussed the situation and next steps. A follow up email was also sent. We will be doing addtional training at our professional development day on 2/16/26 with all staff to ensure that this situation doesn't happen again."
The report was not signed by a parent.
On February 18, 2026, CI Graham reviewed a report of accident, injury, and/or emergency medical care report for Child A dated February 9, 2026 at 4:15. Caregivers listed on the report were Lizzie Strauser and Katleyn Sims. The report was signed by Lizzie Strauser and Ali Welch, board present.
Description of incident (who, what, where, how, marks, bruises, etc.)
"as we lined up to head outside, Child A asked to use the restroom. I did not do a proper head count of all the kids and Child A was still in the bathroom. Caitlyn had found Child A in the bathroom crying while both the Brooks and Cascades classes were outside."
Description of action taken:
"I have spoken to other staff members and in progress of sending an apology message to the parents."
This report was written by Lizzie Strauser.
On February 18, 2026, CI Graham reviewed a report of accident, injury, and/or emergency medical care report for Child A dated February 9, 2026 at 3:50pm. Caregivers listed on the report were Lizzie Strauser, Katelyn Sims, Paige Schlichting and Caitlin Artinger. The report was signed by Caitlyn Artinger and Katelyn Sims and dated February 11, 2026.
Description of incident (who, what, where, when, how, marks, bruises, etc.):
"I found Child A upstairs alone after he went to the bathroom and the class went outside."
Description of action taken:
"I consoled Child A and resasured him that everything was going to be okay and that was safe. I then called Katelyn to inform her about what happened, i took Child A back outside and made sure this teachers were aware that he was inside."
This report was written by Catilyn Artinger.
On February 18, 2025, CI Graham reviewed a report of accident, injury, and/or emergency medical care for Child A dated February 9, 2026, 3:50p. The caregivers listed on the report were Lizzie Strauser, Katelyn Sims, Paige Schlichting and Caitlyn Artinger. The report was signed by Katelyn Sims.
Description of incident (who, what, where, when, how, marks, bruises, etc.):
"Caitlyn called me at 4:04 to tell me she had found Child A left alone inside after he went to the bathroom in the cascades class (because someone was taking too long in the Brooks). The Brooks teacher went outside without him and Caitlyn found him.
Description of action taken:
"I called Ali to make sure she was aware and talk about notifiying the parents. She said she would email both parents together and cc me. I provided her with Dad's email from the Procare website. We have a meeting scheduled to discuss safety and proper name to face coutning with the teacher."
On April 13, 2026, Ali Welch, board president said that she emailed Parent A the day of the incident. Parent A requested a meeting so a phone call was scheduled for the following afternoon. Parent A was concerned that Child A could have walked out the door and to the road while left unsupervised. Ali reminded Parent A that Child A could have also walked out the playground where his class was. Ali informed Parent A that Child A's caregiver did not see him in the bathroom because he was not in his normal class bathroom but had went to the other bathroom that can't be seen from his classroom.
5 CSR 25-500.102(2)(A)5. which states "In the absence of the center director or group child care home provider, another responsible individual shall be designated to be in charge of the facility. "
On February 18, 2026, Katelyn Sims, director, stated that she was not at the facility on February 9, 2026, and had not designated anyone to be in charge while she was not present.
On April 13, 2026, Ali Welch, board president, stated that a new policy has been put into place designating who will be in charge as a closing supervisor each afternoon.
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