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On February 10, 2026, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging one student claimed that a teacher slammed her into the highchair. This took place on February 5, 2026. 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)8. which 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 February 17, 2026, CI Greer interviewed Teacher Alexis "Lexi" Benda, Staff Matt Smith, LLC Member and Director Sheree Shepherd, and Child A (3 years old). Lexi stated on February 6, 2026, she stepped into Child A's classroom and could hear crying. As she was in the doorway, Teacher Cynthia "Cyndi" Williams went rushing out of the classroom. Child A was having a meltdown with full tears. Lexi was able to calm Child A down and asked her what happened. Child A stated the teacher hurt me. The only teacher in the classroom at the time was Cyndi. Lexi observed two small pinch marks on the underside of Child A's arms. Matt stated he was notified of the incident with Cyndi and Child A and accessed the cameras for the classroom. He observed on camera Cyndi aggressively picking up Child A and putting her in a highchair. Matt spoke with Cyndi and she said that Child A was not listening and playing under the rug and not doing chores. Matt informed Cyndi that her interactions on camera with Child A were not appropriate and she was terminated from employment. Matt notified the parent of Child A of the injury. Child A stated Ms. Cindy hurt both of her arms. She pinched her arms in the highchair. It made her feel scared when Ms. Cindy did that.
On February 17, 2026, CI Greer reviewed video footage of the incident from February 6, 2026, and observed the video begins at approximately 10:47:38. At approximately 10:47:41, Cyndi picks up Child A by the arms, not supporting her body weight. At approximately 10:47:47, she drops Child A into the highchair. At approximately 10:47:50, Cyndi slides the tray onto the highchair. This motion causes Child A to raise her arms up instantly and she appears to be crying. At approximately 10:47:51, Cyndi turns her back toward Child A and walks away.
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