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On April 17, 2026, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging that during observation of video on April 6, a staff member, Sierra Norman, was observed shaking and then shoving Child A (15 months old) onto a cot. Sierra then put her leg over the child to keep the child on the cot. 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 21, 2026, Compliance Inspector (CI) JD Greer interviewed Executive Director Lisa Sheffield, who stated she reviewed the video footage of Teacher Sierra Norman with Child A (15 months old). Sierra's behavior with Child A was not appropriate and not a part of their core values.
On April 21, 2026, CI Greer reviewed video footage from April 6, 2026 of Teacher Sierra Norman caring for Child A (15 months old) and observed the video begins at approximately 1:06:59. Sierra is seen in the middle of the classroom sitting next to a cot. Child A is lying stomach down on the cot next to Sierra. At approximately 1:06:59, Sierra's right leg is laying on top of Child A's body. Sierra is patting Child A's back with her left hand and looking at her cell phone with her right hand. At approximately 1:07:22, Child A's head and feet move. At approximately 1:07:25, Sierra grabs Child A by the shoulders and shakes Child A from side to side and in a downward motion towards the cot. Sierra moves her leg farther up Child A's body to what appears to be between the lower back and shoulder blades. At approximately 1:08:35, Sierra pulls a pacifier out of Child A's mouth. At approximately 1:09:24, Sierra is seen tucking in the blankets under Child A, which causes Child A's whole body to move from side to side. At approximately 1:09:48, Sierra grabs Child A by the shoulders, twists Child A's upper body so their face is upward. Sierra appears to say something to Child A. At approximately 1:10:16, Sierra grabs Child A by the shoulders, lifts Child A's upper torso off of the cot, and slides them approximately three inches up on the cot. At approximately 1:10:19, Sierra grabs the blanket near Child A's shoulders and pushes Child A down into the cot. At approximately 1:10:43, Sierra grabs Child A by the shoulders and shakes one time. Throughout the duration of the video, Sierra is seen scrolling on her phone and her right leg is on top of Child A.
On June 16, 2026, CI Greer interviewed Teacher Sierra Norman, who stated she should have asked for help. She was shown the video by an outside agency. Her actions on camera were not appropriate, and she shouldn't have been treating Child A that way. Child A was not settling down during nap time, and she was frustrated. She should not have done what she did, and she should have asked another teacher for help.
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