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On May 18, 2026, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging two weeks ago, Aiden left Child A (3 years old) outside on the playground for 30 minutes. After conducting the investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Rebecca Muckelrath finds the allegation to be substantiated. This conclusion is based on the following evidence of licensing rule violations which occurred at the facility:
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)1: Caregivers shall not leave any child without competent supervision.
And
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)3. Caregivers shall provide frequent, direct contact so children are not left unobserved on the premises.
And
5 CSR 25-500.082(6)(A)3. Adult supervision shall be provided at all times when children are outside. For children three (3) years of age and above, staff/child ratios may be one and one-half (1 1/2) times the indoor staff/child ratios. The required indoor staff/child ratios shall be maintained on the premises at all times.
On May 21, 2026, CI Muckelrath interviewed Reporter Miranda Stine, who reported she no longer works at the facility and was not present when the incident occurred but heard about it from another staff member. It is her understanding that Junior Aide Callie Branstetter and Teacher Aide Aiden Earl were supervising the children on the playground when Aiden took the children inside, and Child A was left outside alone.
On May 22, 2026, CI Muckelrath conducted an unannounced inspection and interviewed Director Candace Branstetter, Designee Lori Hutchings, LLC Member Ashley Bozeman, Teacher Whitney Ewaldt, Junior Aide Callie Branstetter, and Child A (3 years old). Candace, Lori and Ashley confirmed Child A was left outside. It was their understanding Aiden and Former Teacher Emily Carter were watching the children while Callie was on lunch break. Whitney stated she had heard about the incident but did not witness what happened. It is her understanding Child A was outside for about five minutes. Callie stated Emily and Aiden were responsible for the children during this time. Child A may have been outside for about five minutes. Child A stated his friends left him on the playground.
On June 4, 2026, CI Muckelrath interviewed Parent A and B (Parents of Child A). They stated they were told about the situation from a previous staff member and then asked Child A about it. Child A told them he was left on the playground. Staff told Parent B that Child A was only left outside for a minute or two.
On June 26, 2026, CI Muckelrath interviewed Former Teacher Emily Carter. She reported she was taking her lunch while Callie and Aiden were supervising the children on the playground. They are the ones who brought the children back in. When she returned to her room from lunch and performed a head count, she noticed Child A was missing. She asked Callie about the missing child. She was told he was on the playground. She went to the playground to look for him and found him against the wall crying.
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