|
On May 21, 2026, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that Purpose Driven Vision Center's basement had mold and was flooded. The facility's ceiling leaked. The playground was not safe for children's activities. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Patrick O'Malley has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence:
5 CSR 25-500.082(1)(A) which states: "The premises shall be safe and suitable for the care of children."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.082(1)(B) which states: "The premises shall conform to the fire and safety requirements of the State Fire Marshal or his/her designee and requirements for state or local zoning, building and sanitation."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.082(2)(A)5. which states: "The facility shall be dry, temperature controlled, well-ventilated and free of drafts. Children shall not be overheated or chilled. The temperature of the rooms shall be no less than sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit (68F) and no more than eighty-five degrees Fahrenheit (85F) when measured two feet (2') from the floor."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.082(2)(A)9. which states: "The facility shall be clean at all times and free of dirt, insects, spiders, rodents or other pests."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.082(6)(A)1. which states: "A fenced outdoor play area shall be available on or adjoining the day care property. The play area shall be located so it is convenient and the children can gain access to it without hazard. For facilities initially licensed after the effective date of these rules or for the installation of new fences in existing facilities, the fence shall be at least forty-two inches (42") high. An outdoor play area used exclusively for school-age children shall not be required to have a fence. Fences shall be constructed to prevent children from crawling or falling through or becoming entrapped."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.082(6)(A)4. which states: "The play area shall be safe for children's activities, well-maintained, free of hazards such as poisonous plants, broken glass, rocks or other debris and shall have good drainage."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.222(10) which states: "All records shall be available in the facility for inspection by the department upon request."
On May 22, 2026, CI O'Malley conducted an unannounced inspection of the facility. CI O'Malley observed two inches of standing water across both of the facility's basements. The water was mostly clear and did not smell of sewage. CI O'Malley observed black mold in the western basement's upper, northwest corner and from floor to ceiling in the western basement's northeast corner. CI O'Malley observed multiple discolored and warped ceiling tiles in the school-age classroom. The facility's outside playground had an unfinished retaining wall with multiple wood planks exposed. CI O'Malley observed multiple unsecured, open, and overflowing trash cans in the playground. CI O'Malley observed two wires from a junction box on the building's western wall extending to the ground, within easy reach of children. A gate along the northern fence had a bent pole which prevented the gate from closing completely. The resulting gap measured seven inches across. CI O'Malley conducted interviews with director Keisha Hayes, staff Shauna Wilkins, Child A (15-years-old), and Child B (8-years-old).
Director Keisha Haynes denied that the facility's wall or ceilings leaked in the rain. Keisha denied knowing how water was pooling in the facility's basements. Keisha denied knowing that there was water or mold in the basements prior to the inspection. Keisha stated that the facility had a variance for the children to not go outside until the retaining wall had been completed. The children had not been outside since February 2026, when she began updating the playground. The gate along the north fence was usually closed with bungie cords. Keisha could not provide the facility's attendance records when asked by CI O'Malley because she stated that she did not know how to use the subsidy attendance system.
Staff Shauna Wilkins affirmed that the ceiling in the school-age classroom leaked in the rain. Shauna stated that the last time the children used the outside playground was the previous day, Thursday, May 21, 2026.
Child A (15-years-old) affirmed that the ceiling in the school-age classroom leaked in the rain. Child A affirmed that the last time the children used the outside playground was the previous day, Thursday, May 21, 2026.
Child B (8-years-old) affirmed that the ceiling in the school-age classroom leaked in the rain. Child B affirmed that the last time the children used the outside playground was the previous day, Thursday, May 21, 2026.
On May 26, 2026, CI O'Malley received and reviewed a sanitation inspection report, dated May 22, 2026, from Rob Ayres with the Missouri Bureau of Environmental Health Services. The report shows, "As much as several inches of standing water was observed on both sides of the basement as well as mold on the basement wall near the bottom of the stairwell. The water was relatively clear with no solids observed, indicating possible rainwater; however, a definite source determination of the water could not be made. A non-functional sump pump was observed in a corner of the basement. The provider was advised to contact a plumber determine the cause of the flooding and make repairs as necessary. The provider was also advised to remove the mold and the underlying moisture problem prior to contacting inspector(s) for re-inspection." On May 26, 2026, CI O'Malley also received and reviewed a fire safety inspection report, dated May 22, 2026, from Bobby Parrish with the Missouri Division of fire safety. The report shows, "Water in both basement floors could affect the furnace and water heater units which could affect the child care area."
CI O'Malley conducted a phone interview with CI Kimberly Kinnaird, who stated that she had been the facility's assigned CI since June 2025. The facility did not have and had not requested a variance excepting them from taking children outside.
On May 28, 2026, CI O'Malley conducted a phone interview with former staff Markia Milton, who stated that Shauna informed her and Keisha that the basements were flooded in late April 2026. The basements were unusable as emergency shelters during the severe thunderstorms that occurred in late April and early May 2026. The ceiling in the school-age classroom and both backdoors leaked in the rain. The children had been outside on the playground every day since she started working at the facility in February 2026. The playground had been under construction since she started working at the facility in January 2026.
|