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MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

OFFICE OF CHILDHOOD - CHILD CARE COMPLIANCE

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION OF SUBSTANTIATED STATUTE OR RULE VIOLATIONS
Facility Information
Date of Report
2/24/2026 12:00:00 AM
DVN
003114025
Facility Name
CLEVER KIDS PRESCHOOL AND CHILDCARE CENTER
Facility Address
412 N PUBLIC AVE STE E
City
CLEVER
Zip Code
65631-6441
Phone
(417) 743-0033
County
CHRISTIAN
Assigned Specialist
MUCKELRATH, REBECCA
Rule/Statute Violation(s)
ViolationViolation Description
5 CSR 25-500.092(1)(B)2.G. Cribs, portable cribs, and playpens shall be free of soft objects, loose bedding, or any object that can increase the risk of entrapment, suffocation, or strangulation. Examples include bumper pads, pillows, quilts, comforters, sleep positioning devices, sheepskins, blankets, flat sheets, cloth diapers, bibs, pillow-like toys, wedges, infant positioners, special mattresses, special sleep surfaces, and other similar items.
5 CSR 25-500.202(2)(D) Until infants can hold a bottle comfortably, they shall be held by a caregiver during bottle feeding. Bottles shall not be propped.
5 CSR 25-500.082(3)(A)4. Paper towels, soap and toilet paper shall be provided and easily accessible so the children can reach them without assistance.
5 CSR 25-600.020 (1) Prior to the employment or presence of a child care staff member in a licensed, regulated, or registered child care facility not exempted by section 210.1080.13, RSMo, the child care provider shall request the results of a criminal background check for such child care staff member from the department.
5 CSR 25-500.122(1)(A) All persons working in a child care facility in any capacity during child care hours, including volunteers counted in staff/child ratios, shall be in good physical and emotional health with no physical or mental conditions which would interfere with child care responsibilities. These persons shall have a medical examination report, signed by a licensed physician or registered nurse who is under the supervision of a licensed physician, on file at the facility at the time of initial licensure or within thirty (30) days following employment.
5 CSR 25-500.122(1)(B) Medical examination reports shall include either a Tuberculosis (TB) Risk Assessment form, completed and signed by a health care professional, or a negative tuberculin skin test (TST) completed not more than twelve (12) months before beginning work in the facility. The Tuberculosis (TB) Risk Assessment form, revised March 2014, is incorporated by reference in this rule, as published by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, PO Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102 and available by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services at https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/tuberculosis/tbmanual/pdf/RiskAssessmentform.pdf. If the person has signs or symptoms of tuberculosis, or risk factors for tuberculosis, then testing for tuberculosis shall occur.
5 CSR 25-500.102(1)(T) The licensee shall have documentation on file at the facility of current certification in age-appropriate first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training for a sufficient number of child care staff to ensure that there is one (1) caregiver at the facility for every twenty (20) children in the licensed capacity. At least one (1) caregiver with current certification in age-appropriate first aid and CPR must be on site at all times when children are present. The training shall be certified by a nationally-recognized organization, such as the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or an equivalent certification, include an in-person skills assessment, and be approved by the department.
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.
5 CSR 25-500.102(2)(A)6. The center owner(s), or the board president or chairperson, shall notify the department immediately when there is a change of directors and shall have a qualifying criminal background check on file as required by 5 CSR 25-600.020 General Requirements.
Conclusion Summary
On February 24, 2026, the Office of Childhood (OCC) received a report alleging in the baby room and such, the staff keeps putting things in the pack in plays with a child under one year of age and props their bottles up with Boppys. Katherine (Kat) Riggs and Joana Atwell would wrap infants in a blanket while they are sleeping in their pack and play and leave the bottles propped. After conducting the investigation, Compliance Inspection Supervisor (CIS) Romena Fox and Compliance Inspector (CI) Rebecca Muckelrath find the allegation to be substantiated. This conclusion is based on the following evidence of licensing rule violations which occurred at the facility: 5 CSR 25-500.092 (1)(B)2.G: "Cribs, portable cribs, and playpens shall be free of soft objects, loose bedding, or any object that can increase the risk of entrapment, suffocation, or strangulation. Examples include bumper pads, pillows, quilts, comforters, sleep positioning devices, sheepskins, blankets, flat sheets, cloth diapers, bibs, pillow-like toys, wedges, infant positioners, special mattresses, special sleep surfaces, and other similar items." AND 5 CSR 25-500.202(2)(D): "Until infants can hold a bottle comfortably, they shall be held by a caregiver during bottle feeding. Bottles shall not be propped." On February 25, 2026, CIS Fox and CI Muckelrath interviewed Caregiver JoAnna Atwell, who stated she has placed infants in the crib with a blanket and has propped infants' bottles up with a Boppy pillow. She stopped this about a week ago when the previous director said they couldn't do it. On February 25, 2026, CIS Fox and CI Muckelrath and observed two emailed pictures received from the reporter. One picture was of a baby in a crib with a bottle propped up via Boppy pillow and the other picture was of a baby in a crib wrapped in a blanket while asleep.
Corrective Measures
Corrective MeasureCompleted (Y/N)Completed Date
The facility shall notify all caregivers (paid employees and paid or unpaid volunteers) of the violations which were substantiated and specify the actions to be taken by all caregivers, in order to comply with all violations cited. A copy of the memo, letter, or meeting agenda shall be submitted to the Office of Childhood. Y 7/10/2026 12:00:00 AM
Disposition
SUBSTANTIATED
Disposition Date
4/24/2026 12:00:00 AM
Approving Supervisor
FOX, ROMENA