| Conclusion Summary |
|
Compliance Inspector (CI) Jessica Graham investigated the allegation that an unknown teacher hit an unknown child aged 1-years-old, on her hand multiple times until they dropped the object. The child's hand was red. It is stated this was reported to the supervisor and they are planning to terminate this teacher. This allegation is substantiated based on the following rule violations.
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."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)6. which states: "Firm, positive statements or redirection of behavior shall be used with infants and toddlers."
On June 9, 2026, Mollen Gross, LLC member said that she was informed by Bella Munroe that Nakihta had tapped a child on the hand for discipline. This happened at the end of last year. Mollen told Bella that Nakihta would be removed from the schedule. Mollen said that she did not talk to Nakihta about why she was removing her from the schedule. Mollen brought Nakihta back to work at the center in the same classroom as before this June. She still did not talk to Nakihta about why she was removed from the schedule the last time.
Bella said that on June 5, 2026 she was outside with Nakihta and the children when Nakihta smacked Child A, age 17-months-old for putting mulch on the turf while outside. Bella was sitting with a group of children and heard Nakihta smack Child A's hand and then say "no, don't pick that up." Bella reported this to Mollen that next day.
Elaina Brown, caregiver heard about the incident with Nakihta and Child B from Bella. She also knew of an incident in December, 2025 when Nakihta had down the same thing to Child B, age 20-months-old for climbing the slide. She slapped Child A multiple times on the hand. Elaina sent a text message to Mollen that evening about Nakihta and Mollen said that she would be removing Nakihta from the schedule. Nakihta came back to work and was there for two weeks and she had heard from caregiver Addie that Nakihta had hit a baby.
Addie Ank, caregiver said that she remembered back in December that Nakihta would flick the kids on the hands and hit them on the hands. She witnessed this once or twice and told Mollen about it. Mollen said she would talk to Nakihta about it. When she was outside last the past week, she saw Nakihta slap Child A on the hand twice. Nakihta has been told in the past not to hit the kids.
On June 9, 2026, Compliance Inspector (CI) Jessica Graham viewed a text message from caregiver Elaina Brown to director Mollen Gross. The text message was dated December 30, 2025 and read as follows:
Elaina: "Hi Moleen. I have a question, if we have a baby that is constantly taking the toys away from another baby. Is it right for a worker to hit the baby's hand? and raise voice at them?"
Mollen: "No, they are supposed to talk to them kindly and seat them down if they are not listening."
Elaina: "thank you. what would be case be if a worker was slapping babies hands when they do bad? or raising a voice at them."
Mollen: "I need to know and I will talk to them"
Elaina: "okay well it's happened twice this morning and she tried to slap another baby's hand and missed. it's Nikhita i think is her name"
Elaina: "the babies hand that she slapped were red both times that is why i am saying something"
CI Graham made a few attempts to call caregiver Nakihta Goli but no contact was made.
CI Graham attempted to call Parent B but no contact was made.
On June 15, 2026, Parent A said that Mollen had told her husband that a staff was let go due to come concerns of her tapping Child A on the hand. She did not have any concerns herself and Child A is still attending the facility.
5 CSR-25-600.020(1) which states: "Prior to the employment or presence of a child care staff member in a licensed, regulated, or registered child care facility not exempted by section 210.1080.13, RSMo, the child care provider shall request the results of a criminal background check for such child care staff member from the department."
On June 9, 2026, CI Graham reviewed the file for Nakihta and it did not have an eligible letter in it.
|