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On June 18, 2026, the Office of Childhood received an allegation that previous employee, Ashley Danielson, who just stopped working at the facility, said they are beating and spanking the kids. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Jackie Ruth found these allegations to be 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."
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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 30, 2026, CI Ruth conducted an unannounced inspection of the facility and held in-person interviews with caregivers, Colleen Kaelin and Ashlee Birdwell (Ashlee B.). Colleen said that Ashley Danielson (Ashley D.) was a caregiver in a toddler classroom. Ashely D. brought up concerns about another caregiver in the toddler unit, Grethel Lo., and said that she heard that Grethel was spanking children. Ashley D. named Child A (22-months-old), Child B (21-months-old), and Child C (19-months-old). Ashley D. told Colleen that someone else told her this and she did not see it. Ashely D. would not say who told her that. Ashlee D. and Grethel each worked at the center for approximately three to four weeks. Grethel is on personal leave and Ashley D. quit. Ashley D. later reached out to Colleen stating that she overreacted and asked to come back, but was told no. Colleen stated that she looked over video footage when she was told about the incident with Child A. She saw that Grethel picked him up from a chair, but her hand made contact with his body before she picked him up. She said it was not aggressive, but they talked to her about. She does not remember the date of the incident and could not provide footage.
Ashlee B. stated that she has no concerns about Grethel and has never seen her spank a child or become aggressive. She said that Ashely D. told her she saw Grethel spank the children and it was always on a day that Ashley B. was not there. Ashely D. named Child A, Child B, Child C, and Child D (15-months-old). She told Colleen about Ashley D.'s accusations and Colleen reviewed video footage but did not see anything. She thinks Ashley D. also told Colleen about her concerns. She said no parents have brought up concerns about Grethel and the children seemed to like her.
CI Ruth observed a message thread between Ashley Danielson (Ashely D.) and Colleen Kaelin. On June 15, 2026, Ashley D. messaged at 5:47 p.m. and stated that she thinks she overreacted and would like to finish out her two weeks. Colleen responded and declined Ashley D.'s request.
On July 1, 2026, CI Ruth conducted interviews via phone with Parent B (parent of Child B), Parent C (parent of Child C), and Parent D (parent of Child D). Parent B and Parent D had no concerns. Parent C stated that she has concerns about Grethel because Ashlee B. told her that Grethel was aggressive with the kids and allegedly put her hands on Child C. She talked to the director about it, and they had already looked at footage, did not find anything, and claimed they would be monitoring Grethel.
On July 2, 2026, CI Ruth conducted interviews via phone with caregivers Ashley Danielson (Ashley D.) and Grethel Lo. Ashley D. stated that she had concerns about Grethel spanking children and she reported those concerns to the director and owner. She said she witnessed Grethel tap Child A on the butt, and Grethel said to her, "just a pop". She said that Child A was upset and cried but was not injured. The situation was on camera. The director looked at footage of her other concerns, but did not see anything. She quit working at the facility and asked to come back, stating that she overreacted by walking out and not completing her two weeks. She does not believe she overreacted about her concerns.
Grethel stated that she patted Child A on the butt, and it was like a little tap, but not a spank. She did it to get his attention because Child A was standing in a chair and she wanted him to get down. Colleen told her she must use redirection and if something like this happens again it will be reported. She does not recall any situations with Child B, Child C, or Child D.
On July 6, 2026, CI Ruth conducted an interview via phone with Parent A (parent of Child A) and Parent AA (parent of Child A), Colleen Kaelin, and the facility owner, Melissa Bobo. Parent A and Parent AA stated that no one from the facility reached out to them and they were only aware of a possible incident after receiving a voicemail from CI Ruth. They were told that the video footage of the incident was saved, but when they arrived to view it, they were told that they did not save the clip. They were told that the video was shown to Grethel and they talked to her about it, and that it was a pat and not an actual spank. Regardless, they feel that the interaction was not okay and were told that Grethel will not be returning.
Colleen stated that Grethel would not be returning to the facility. She interpreted the video footage differently and thought Grethel just moved Child A, but Melissa confirmed that Child A was patted on the butt.
Melissa stated that she watched video footage and Grethel patted Child A on the bottom when he was standing in a chair, before taking his hand and guiding him away. They talked to Grethel and told her that behavior was not acceptable in a child care setting.
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