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Compliance Inspector (CI) Jessica Graham investigated the allegation that on May 22, 2026, between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., teacher Stormie squeezed Child A's (4-years-old) arm when he was not listening during naptime. She also yelled at him. This allegation is substantiated based on the following rule violations.
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)6. which states: "Preschool children who do not sleep shall rest on cots or beds at least thirty (30) minutes, but shall not be forced to remain on cots or beds for longer than one (1) hour. They shall then be permitted to leave the napping area to engage in quiet play."
AND
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)8. which states: "No discipline technique which is humiliating, threatening, or frightening to children shall be used. Children shall not be shamed, ridiculed, or spoken to harshly, abusively, or with profanity."
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 May 26, 2026, Parent A stated via phone that she was told by an unnamed caregiver that a concerning interaction occurred on May 22, 2026 between caregiver Stormie and Child A during nap time. Child A told Parent A that Stormie squeezed his arm. Parent A called director Tessa Spencer and was told that video footage was reviewed and nothing concerning was observed.
On June 2, 2026, caregiver Kimberly Saunders said that she has worked with Stormie in the classroom and has noticed that Stormie will raise her voice loudly and tries to be stern with the children but has never done anything physically harmful to the children. They usually lay down for nap around 11:30 a.m. or 12:00 p.m. They sit with the children at nap time that typically get up off their cots. The children sleep until about 2:30 p.m. and then get up for snack. The children have to lay down and be quite. They don't do anything while they are on their cots. If the children get up then they will talk to them and lead them back to their cots.
Director Tessa Spencer said that she reviewed the video footage but didn't see anything concerning on the footage between Stormie and Child A during nap time on May 22, 2026.
On June 2, 2026, CI Graham viewed video footage of nap time on May 22, 2026 with director Tessa Spencer. The video is 1:23 in length and there is audio, although it is unclear at times. The following was observed:
-Caregiver Stormie Prewitt is seen on wearing a white t-shirt and leggings.
-Child A, age 4-years-old is sitting on a cot in front of the table where Stormie was sitting.
-Stormie removes books from Child A's cot and scoots his cot forward.
-Child A is flipping around and making noises.
-Stormie grabs Child A by the upper arm, lifts him off the cot and lays him down on his back.
-Child A kicks his feet and says something towards Stormie.
-Stormie leans over to Child A and says something back to Child A.
-Stormie walks to the back of the room to assist another child.
-Child A is on his cot making noises and messing with the cot sheet.
-Stormie walks back to the front of the room and lifts Child A by the arms again, places him on his back and pushes his legs down when he starts to kick.
-Stormie raises her voice to him but it is unclear what is said.
-Stormie talks to Lacy, caregiver, who is also in the room.
-Stormie sits at the table and Child A starts screaming and making noises.
-Stormie says "stop" to Child A loudly.
-Child A continues screaming so Stormie gets up from her chair and goes to him.
-Stormie grabs Child A on the left upper arm and lifts him off the cot.
-Stormie holds him by the upper arm and walks off camera.
After reviewing footage, director Tessa stated that she did not watch footage long enough to see the interaction between Stormie and Child A that was observed while watching with CI Graham.
Stormie said that on May 22, 2022, Child A was not laying down and she had tried to lay with him. She had to call Parent A to talk to Child A during nap time. Child A kept acting up after talking to Parent A. Stormie said she has been told to watch her tone and lower her voice when talking to the children.
Child B, age 9-years-old and Child C, age 8-years-old said during nap time the caregivers will tell the children to lay down and will let them have Ipads.
On June 2, 2026, caregiver Lacy Henson stated via phone that she was in the nap room with Stormie and Child A on May 22, 2026 and observed Stormie yelling at Child A and an interaction between Stormie and Child A that she didn't like. She asked Tessa to review camera footage during that time and Tessa said there was nothing concerning. Lacy later called Parent A to ask her if Child A was hurt from the interaction between him and Stormie.
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