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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
3/10/2026 12:00:00 AM
DVN
000398083
Facility Name
LA PETITE ACADEMY, INC.
Facility Address
719 N 36TH ST
City
ST JOSEPH
Zip Code
64506
Phone
(816) 364-0014
County
BUCHANAN
Assigned Specialist
EDDINS, COLE
Rule/Statute Violation(s)
ViolationViolation Description
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 March 10, 2026, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging that Georgia was the director but is no longer there because she was promoted. No one has replaced Georgia as the director yet. After conducting the investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Cole Eddins finds the allegation is substantiated. This conclusion is based on the following evidence of licensing rule violations which occurred at the facility: 5 CSR 25-500.102(2)(A)3. which states: "The licensee is required to maintain an approved certificated group child care home provider or center director on staff." and 5 CSR 25-500.102(2)(A)6. which states: "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." On March 18, 2026, CI Eddins conducted an unannounced inspection and interviewed Assistant Director Heather Gillpatrick, Caregiver Ariana Beebe, Caregiver Catherine Bollacker, Caregiver Emilee Christina, Caregiver Erin Owen, Caregiver Gabbie Moore, Caregiver Miranda Tolar, Caregiver Natalie Mullin, Caregiver Riley Sportman, Caregiver Tristina Olson. All staff members provided consistent information. All staff member stated that some time in early March 2026, the previous director, Georgia Burns, accepted a new job and left the facility. Heather has now taken over as the facility's acting director. Heather stated that Georgia's last day was on March 6, 2026. On March 18, 2026, CI Eddins conducted a walkthrough of the facility and observed Heather acting as the facility's lead director. CI Eddins did not observe the previous director, Georgia Burns, at the facility. On March 19, 2026, CI Eddins interviewed CI Patricia Lucas. Patty stated that she had not been informed that the director, Georgia Burns, had left.
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 5/7/2026 12:00:00 AM
Disposition
SUBSTANTIATED
Disposition Date
5/7/2026 12:00:00 AM
Approving Supervisor
FOX, ROMENA