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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
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Facility Information
Date of Report
3/17/2026 12:00:00 AM
DVN
003133844
Facility Name
TOTS - PARKVILLE LLC
Facility Address
10801 NW CROOKED RD
City
PARKVILLE
Zip Code
64152-3419
Phone
(816) 741-1817
County
PLATTE
Assigned Specialist
WEST, CURTIS
Rule/Statute Violation(s)
ViolationViolation Description
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 25-500.092(1)(B)2.I. Sitting devices such as car safety seats, strollers, swings, infant carriers, infant slings, and other sitting devices shall not be used for sleep/nap time. Infants who fall asleep anywhere other than a crib, portable crib, or playpen shall be placed in the crib or playpen for the remainder of their sleep or nap time.
5 CSR 25-500.082(1)(I) All flammable liquids, matches, cleaning supplies, poisonous materials, medicines, alcoholic beverages, hazardous personal care items or other hazardous items shall be inaccessible to children.
5 CSR 25-500.112(1)(A) The staff/child ratio and group size shall be followed as outlined in the below chart unless it meets an exception in subparagraphs (1)(B)-(G) below: Infants, toddlers, and 2-year-olds shall have one caregiver for every four children with no more than eight children per group; Groups composed solely of children 24 to 36 months shall have one caregiver for every eight children with no more than 16 children per group; Groups composed solely of children 3 to 4 years shall have one caregiver for every 10 children with no more than 20 children per group; Groups composed solely of children 5 years or older shall have one caregiver for every 16 children with no more than 32 children per group; A mixed group of children consisting of no more than four children age 2 years, and at least one child older than 3 years shall have one caregiver for every 10 children with no more than 20 children per group; A mixed group of children consisting of more than four children ages 24 to 36 months, and at least one child older than 36 months shall have one caregiver for every eight children with no more than 16 children per group.
Conclusion Summary
On March 17, 2026, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging that there was a baby being fed in a swing with the bottle propped up by a blanket. The baby's face turned red, and the baby began to choke. After conducting the investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Curtis West finds the allegation is substantiated. This conclusion is based on the following evidence of a licensing rule violation that occurred at the facility: 5 CSR 25-500.202(2)(D), which states "Until infants can hold a bottle comfortably, they shall be held by a caregiver during bottle feeding. Bottles shall not be propped." On March 20, 2026, CI West conducted an unannounced inspection and interviewed Caregiver Emily Fierro, who stated that she remembers one time she used a blanket to prop up the bottle of an infant. She was alone and trying to feed two infants at the same time. She held one child and fed them while the other was in the bouncer sitting next to her with the bottle propped up by a blanket.
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 8/20/2026 12:00:00 AM
Disposition
SUBSTANTIATED
Disposition Date
5/15/2026 12:00:00 AM
Approving Supervisor
FOX, ROMENA