07-05 · Ratios of Personnel to Children Group: Sec. 7-33, Ordinance, DCF Handbook, and Sec

Complaint alleges that on 03/19/2026, the child, S.L. woke up from a nap with a swollen face and a black eye that later turned blue. She was assessed by paramedics. There was vegetation similar to poison ivy or poison oak surrounding the playground, which may have contributed to the reaction. However, there is no explanation for the facial contusion. There are now concerns that S.L. may have been physically abused based on a similar incident involving her sister where she was allegedly struck by a teacher. FINDINGS: A complaint inspection was conducted on 3/30/2026 and statements from the teachers were received. Per the teacher, M.N., they were on the playground and the child was playing, she grabbed her and took her to the picnic table and asked her, mami what happened? and the child went back to play. When they came in, she washed their hands and face in the classroom restroom and sat them down to change their diapers. They served lunch, put the cots down and laid them down. She didnt see anything out of the norm. when they got up from nap, she didnt see anything in the afternoon either. They noticed that the area under her eye was a little swollen later, after snack. She communicated it to the office staff and completed a report. When mom picked up, she had already left for the day. Per the second teacher, . D.V., they were in the playground and S.L. is generally a calm child. She does run and throw herself on the slide. She does recall that the child fell but she barely cried. It wasnt an incident that was big or severe. She did see an area under her eye that was a little swollen and she mentioned it to the other teacher. Ms. M.N. completed an incident report and the office was notified. Mom arrived and sat in the lobby with the child, then she expressed that she wanted to see the cameras. The mom called the cops and they asked her if the child had allergies. A paramedic arrived, and went to the playground and said it could be the weed that was on the playground. Video footage of incident was reviewed and the following was observed: The children are seen going out to the playground via a short walkway that leads to the playground entrance door. None of the children were observed grabbing or touching the vegetation along the playgrounds perimeter fence. The children entered and were observed playing in the playground from 11:00AM - 11:35AM. Within this time, the child goes in and out of frame but within the playground space. The two teachers and a therapist were sitting on a bench that is located in front of the play structure. The teachers are seen conversing while sitting on the bench, looking toward the kids and back at each other. The only incident observed on camera was when the child walked up the play structure steps and once near the top of the slide, another child seems to push her. S.L. falls face forward and appears to hit one of the steps that is higher than the platform she is standing on. The friend that pushed her quickly helps her back up and rubs her face. S.L. holds her hands to her face. The teacher does not seem to notice the incident as she is not seen checking the child for any injuries when she got up from the bench to help the child slide down the slide. This complaint is substantiated for inadequate supervision. Adequate playground supervision required that child care personnel position themselves in the outdoor play area so that all children can be observed and directly supervised