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Compliance Inspector (CI) Jessica Graham investigated the allegation that on April 6, 2026, staff member Isabelle O'Neal was on the playground monitoring her class. Several other teachers were outdoors at that time and witnessed her hitting Child A back. This allegation is substantiated based on the following rule violation.
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)7. which states: "Physical punishment including, but not limited to, spanking, slapping, shaking, biting, or pulling hair shall be prohibited."
On April 13, 2026, Nancy Jessup, director, said she was informed of an incident that Isabelle O'Neal had hit Child A, age 5-years-old, on the playground. She looked at video footage from cameras and determined that it happened and Isabelle should be terminated.
Caregiver Shannon Hernandeze was in charge of the facility at the time of the incident. Caregiver Alyssa Lord called Shannon outside to the playground and informed her that Isabelle had hit Child A. Child A was crying and said "she hit me" and pointed to Isabelle. Shannon asked Isabelle what happened and she said "I told him not to hit me. I'm not going to be hit, I'll hit back." Shannon asked Child A where he was hit and he pointed to his head. Isabelle said Child A was on the swings and she wanted him to get off but he didn't listen. She pulled him off the swing and he hit her so she hit him back.
Alyssa Lord, caregiver, said she heard Child A screaming and then Isabelle screamed at him. Isabelle walked over to Child A and he hit her. Isabelle hit him back on the side of the head and said "if he hits me, I'll hit him." She called Shannon to report the incident.
Sashia Crim, caregiver, was also outside. She saw Isabelle put Child A in time out but did not witness her hit Child A. Isabelle told her that she would "nudge" Child A (and demonstrated pushing her forehead with three fingers). While Child A was in time out he was screaming and she did hear Isabelle say "don't hit me" to him. Shannon came outside and Child A was with her saying that Isabelle hit him. Shannon asked him who hit him and he pointed to Isabelle. Shannon asked Isabelle what happened and Isabelle said "if he hit me, I'll hit him back."
CI Graham attempted to interview Child A, age 5-years-old and Child B, age 4-years-old but neither would participate. Child C, age 5-years-old said that Child A hits people and when they get in trouble they sit in time out.
On April 14, 2026, Compliance Inspector (CI) Jessica Graham reviewed the camera footage that was retrieved by Nancy Jessup. Three separate videos were received and the following was observed.
Video 1 patio angle (04-09-2026 at 4:37:12pm)
-Sashia Crim, caregiver, is seen standing on the concrete watching children.
4:37:26:-Audio is not clear, but a child (unknown) can be heard off camera screaming "no, I don't wanna go".
4:37:36-Screaming is heard and then crying.
4:37:39-Isabelle is off camera and can be heard saying something about getting hit.
4:27:40-Child C is standing on the patio looking in the direction of Child A and Isabelle.
4:37:47-Child C walks over to Isabelle and Child A and asks why Child A is crying. Isabelle says "because he hit me".
4:37:50-Isabelle comes into camera view holding Child A's hand and saying "he hit me I'm going to hit him".
-She places Child A down on the concrete by his arm and walks away.
-Child A is crying.
Video 2 swings angle (04-09-2026 at 4:37:19pm)
-Isabelle is seen walking towards the swing set saying "no, somebody else can have the swings."
4:37:27-Child A is heard saying "no, I don't wanna go". This is off camera view.
4:37:36-screaming is heard off camera view
4:37:40-Isabelle walks back into view holding Child A's hand. Child A is crying and Isabelle is saying something about hitting her.
-She walks Child A to the other side of the playground by the hand.
-Child A is crying and screaming.
Video 3 classroom/playground door angle (04-09-2026 at 4:57:13 p.m.)
-Alyssa is standing in the doorway and Child A is standing beside her.
-Isabelle and Shannon are standing on the playground in the doorway (off camera).
-Isabelle says " he was on the swings and I told him to give someone else a turn, he had been on there for a while and then he hit me."
-Shannon asked Isabelle "but who hit him?"
-Isabelle replied "I popped him right here, I didn't hit him hard. I popped him, don't hit me. I didn't mean to."
-unclear conversation was heard between Shannon and Isabelle.
-Shannon takes Child A and walks inside.
On April 14, 2026, Isabelle O'Neal said she was getting Child A off the swings because he was hitting other people. She said Child A started swinging a stick at her so she "nudged" (demonstrated by pushing her forehead with her fingers) him and then put him in time out. She said to Child A "if you hit me I'll hit back" but she said she didn't mean it. She said she would never hurt a child and was not sure why she was terminated.
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