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On April 29, 2026, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging that Reggilyn, who goes by Reggie, hit Child A (4 years old) about two months ago. Yesterday she intentionally tied Child A's shoes way too tight and refused to help him loosen them. The second teacher in the classroom approached Parent A in the parking lot to let her know that another teacher told her today that she saw Reggie "pop" Child A. 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 25-500.182(1)(C)7. which states: "Physical punishment including, but not limited to, spanking, slapping, shaking, biting, or pulling hair shall be prohibited."
On October 19, 2026, Compliance Inspector (CI) Cole Eddins completed an unannounced inspection and interviewed Caregiver Laila Foy and Child A. Laila stated that she was working outside with Reggie last week when she heard from Caregiver Meziyah Herrow that she may have observed Reggie hit Child A. She thought Child A was hit last Tuesday, June 28, 2026, or Wednesday, June 29, 2026, but she was not sure. While they were outside playing on the playground before lunch, Meziyah approached her and told her that she was pretty sure Reggie hit Child A when Reggie was trying to help put Child A's shoes on. She does not remember where Child A was hit. Child A already appeared upset because he was not following directions and kicking his shoes off. Child A told her that Reggie had hit her. Child A stated that Miss Reggie hit him because she wanted to.
On May 13, 2026, CI Eddins interviewed Caregiver Ashlee Webb and Caregiver Meziyah Herrow. Ashlee stated that about one month ago, she was working outside with Mezijah at around 11:40 a.m. On the other side of the playground, she observed Reggie and Laila working with Child A and his classmates. She remembers observing Child A throwing a fit and taking his shoes off. She observed Reggie trying to help Child A put his shoes back on and Child A was kicking his legs out pretty hard. She heard Reggie tell Child A to stop kicking him. She then turned around to continue to watch her children and heard a loud pop. When she turned back around, Child A appeared to be stunned and upset. Meziayh was the teacher who observed Reggie hitting Child A. She went up to Laila and told her what she heard. Child A appeared stunned and looked at Reggie after hearing the popping sound. Meziyah stated that about one or two months ago, she observed Reggie hit Child A outside on the playground at around 11:30 a.m. She was working with Ashlee on their side of the playground when she observed Reggie hit Child A on the other side of the playground. Child A had done something to get in trouble, and she remembers observing Reggie walking to Child A to help him get his shoes on. She felt like Reggie was being rough when trying to get his shoes on, but Child A was also trying to kick Reggie. She observed Reggie and Child A tussling with Child A's shoes, and then she observed Reggie raise her hand to Child A. She observed Reggie hit Child A's leg with an open hand rather hard. This happened around 11:30 a.m. when they went outside at recess. She informed Lala about what she saw.
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