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On March 5, 2026, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a complaint alleging that today it was reported that a patient was sprayed in the mouth multiple times a day with vinegar as a punishment for bad behavior. Compliance Inspector (CI) Heather Radney conducted an investigation of the allegation and found it to be substantiated based on the information below:
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)3. - Only constructive, age-appropriate methods of discipline shall be used to help children develop self-control and assume responsibility for their own actions.
On March 12, 2026, CI Radney conducted interviews with Director Ashley Mansker, Caregiver Vickie Bowman, and Board Chairperson Christy Jennings. Ashley reported she did spray Child A in the mouth with apple cider vinegar for saying bad words. This was done for discipline. She prepared the spray bottle herself, with straight apple cider vinegar. Parent A said they were having trouble with behaviors with Child A at home and spraying Child A in the mouth with apple cider vinegar may work. Child A was cussing repeatedly. Child A was asked to stop, but she continued and thought it was funny and was trying to get other kids to do it. She told Child A "Mom [Parent A] said if you don't listen, I have to give you a squirt of this." Child A opened her mouth. She gave Child A one squirt of spray in her mouth. Child A burst into tears. They talked about using nice words, and Child A sat in time out. Christy stated she was not aware that this had occurred. She does not believe this is best practice.
On April 27, 2026, CI Radney conducted an interview with Caregiver Kiara Schrader. She was there when the incident occurred. Child A said a bad word and got sprayed the one time. Ashley sprayed her.
On April 28, 2026, CI Radney conducted an interview with Parent A. They told her they have sprayed children with vinegar in the mouth for discipline before if she wanted to try it. She said, "Okay. Maybe we can try that." She found out that it was happening more than once a day. They would let her know "Child A had a bad day, and we had to spray her a few times." They were using a spray bottle with apple cider vinegar. If you say vinegar, she says "Nuh uh" or "Nope"; she definitely knows what it is and doesn't like it. Child A said they sprayed her in the mouth, and it was gross and she spit. Child A would bring it up and say, "I got sprayed." She thinks it happened just here and there, and it was progressively used more and more. She thinks it was happening three to four times a day there at the end; not every day but a lot. They said they were doing it because she wouldn't sit in the corner or time out, for not listening.
Based on the information provided, Director Ashley Mansker sprayed Child A in the mouth with apple cider vinegar for discipline, which was not constructive or age-appropriate.
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