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On April 13, 2026, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging a parent said their child stated they were going to take their brother into the bathroom and whoop them. When asked where the child came up with this, she said "Ms. Alize does this to [Child A] when he is bad." Compliance Inspector (CI) JD Greer conducted an investigation and found the allegation to be substantiated based on the following information:
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 15, 2026, Compliance Inspector (CI) JD Greer interviewed Director Ashley Scheele, Teacher Christine Younger, Teacher Toni Taylor, and Child B (3 years old). Ashley stated on Friday April 10, 2026, Parent B (Parent of Child B) had come to Christine. Parent B stated that Child B said the teacher had hit Child A. The same day, Toni came to her and stated about a month ago, she saw Caregiver Alize Swanson hit Child A. Christine stated a couple weeks ago, she observed Alize hit a child in the head with a tissue box. Toni stated about a month ago, she saw Alize punch Child A in the chest. Child B stated she knows Child A. When asked what happens when Child A gets in trouble, she stated Ms. Alize whoops his ass. Ms. Alize does that in the bathroom.
AND
5 CSR 25-500.102(1)(J) which states, "All staff shall acquaint themselves with the child abuse and neglect law and shall make a report of any suspected child abuse or neglect to the Children's Division at the toll-free number 1-800-392-3738 or online at https://apps.dss.mo.gov/OnlineCanReporting/default.aspx."
On April 15, 2026, CI Greer interviewed Teacher Toni Taylor, who stated about a month ago, she saw Alize punch Child A in the chest. She didn't tell Ashley because it was a very busy week. She knows what a mandated reporter is; it's someone who reports child abuse. She is a mandated reporter. She didn't report Child A being punched in the chest because she was scared. Seeing Child A punched in the chest by Teacher Alize Swanson was child abuse.
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