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On June 17, 2026, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that on June 15, 2026, Child A's (5-years-old) arm was dislocated when she tried to pull away from Little Steps Preschool and Learning Center 4, LLC staff Ayana Saunders and they got into a tugging match. Child A was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with nurse maid's elbow of her left arm. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Patrick O'Malley has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence:
5 CSR 25-500.182(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."
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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 June 22, 2026, CI O'Malley conducted an unannounced inspection of the facility. CI O'Malley observed video footage of the alleged incident. The footage does not contain a date or timestamp. The footage is in color and does not contain audio. The footage shows Ayana seated in a chair, holding Child A's left forearm with both of Ayana's hands. Child A attempts to pull away from Ayana several times. Child A also kicks at Ayana and hits Ayana with Child A's right hand. At 00:30, Child A attempts to pull away from Ayana then Child A sinks to the floor and sits at Ayana's feet. Ayana does not appear to pull or yank on Child A's arm. At 01:12, Ayana lets go of Child A's left arm and Child A stands up from the floor; Child A's left arm appears to hand at an awkward angle. At 02:13, Ayana lifts Child A's left arm and Child A appears to recoil. At 02:16, Ayana stands up, holds Child A's right hand, and they both walk to the left. At 02:13, Child B reaches out and grabs Child A's left arm with both hands and pulls. Ayana removes Child A's arm from Child B's grasp and all three exit the frame to the left. The video ends at 02:26.
CI O'Malley conducted interviews with director Ori Adams, staff Ayana Saunders, Dominique Ruff, Paige Hemphill, Ronneka Foster, and Child C (5-years-old).
Staff Ayana Saunders stated that on June 15, 2026, before naptime, Child A (5-years-old) was running around the preschool classroom, spraying other children with a water bottle. Ayana was the only adult in the classroom, but Dominique and Paige were with another class on the other side of a half-wall. Ayana took the bottle away from Child A and led Child A by the left arm to a chair. Ayana sat in the chair and continued to hold Child A by the left arm. Child A kicked her and hit her with Child A's free right arm. Child A attempted to pull away several times, but she held on to Child A's left arm. After a few minutes, Child A stopped pulling and stood close to her. Ayana stood up to separate two other children. When she turned back, Child A was sitting on the floor, Child A was holding her left arm with her right arm and crying. Ayana attempted to move Child A's left arm but that made Child A cry harder. Ayana contacted Ori over the radio and was instructed to bring Child A to the office. Ayana learned the following day that Child A's arm had been dislocated. Ayana denied harming Child A on purpose. Ayana denied yanking or pulling on Child A's arm; she held Child A's arm to prevent her from falling and to prevent her from disrupting the other children.
Staff Dominique Ruff and Paige Hemphill both denied ever witnessing Ayana yank or pull on either of Child A's arms. Dominique and Paige were both in the same room as Ayana's class but were on the other side of a half-wall. Dominique and Paige both knew that Child A had been taken to the office for an injury, but neither knew what had happened.
Director Ori Adams stated that on the afternoon of June 15, 2026, Child A was brought to her office by Ayana, who reported that something was wrong with Child A's arm and Child A would not let anyone touch it. Ori contacted Parent A via phone, who reported that she would come to pick up Child A. Ori had never received any complaints regarding Ayana and had no concerns about Ayana's ability to work with children.
Staff Ronneka Foster stated that she returned from her break on June 15, 2026, at about 2:00 p.m. Child A was sitting in the office, holding her arm and crying. Child A's arm appeared swollen. Child A reported that Child B had pulled her arm. Ori reported that she had already contacted Parent A (parent of Child A), who was on her way to the facility. Parent A arrived at the facility at about 3:00 p.m. Ronneka reviewed video of the incident after Child A left and observed Child A pulling away from Ayana and Child A's arm being pulled by Child B.
Child C (5-years-old) stated that Child A was sent to the office a lot. Child C liked Ayana. Child C liked the facility and felt safe there. Child C never saw Ayana hurt anyone.
On June 23, 2026, CI O'Malley conducted a phone interview with Parent A (parent of Child A), who stated that she was contacted by Ori on the afternoon of June 15, 2026; she was informed that Child A's arm may have been broken. Parent A picked Child A up from the facility at about 3:00 p.m. and immediately took Child A to an urgent care clinic. Child A was diagnosed with a dislocated shoulder, and the limb was reset. Ori reviewed footage of the incident with her on June 16, 2026. Parent A was satisfied with the facility's reaction to Child A's injury. Child A was still enrolled at the facility.
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