591-1-1-.36(7)(d)1 · Rule 591-1-1-.36(7)(d)1 requires that the first check be conducted immediately upon unloading the last child at any location including, but not limited to, a field trip destination, arrival at the Center, and the last stop during transportation to home or school. The responsible person on the vehicle shall physically walk through the entire vehicle; visually inspect all seat surfaces, under all seats and in all compartments or recesses in the vehicle’s interior; sign the passenger transportation checklist (s), indicating all of the children have exited the vehicle; and give the passenger transportation checklist(s) to the second designated Staff person.

During an investigation, it was determined that on March 6, 2026, the first check of the vehicle was not completed resulting in a 4-year-old child being left unattended on the child care center’s vehicle for approximately 2 hours 40 minutes. The transportation vehicle arrived at the center at 3 p.m. after picking up children from Head Start and elementary schools. The required first check of the vehicle was not conducted by the staff members present on the vehicle before they exited the vehicle and entered the center. It was determined that center staff failed to physically walk through the entire vehicle upon arrival at the center to ensure that there were no children left in the van. At approximately 5:40 p.m., the child was discovered on the vehicle after the parent’s arrival at the center during pick up time. The transportation checklist was completed and incorrectly marked indicating that a first check of the vehicle was conducted when a 4-year-old child was left unattended on the vehicle for 2 hours 40 minutes.

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Open / not marked corrected.

591-1-1-.36(7)(c)2 · Rule 591-1-1-.36(7)(c)2 requires that the driver or other designated person shall immediately document in writing, with a check or other mark/symbol to account for each child listed on the passenger transportation checklist each time a child enters and exits the vehicle. The driver or other designated staff person shall document in writing with a different mark/symbol to account for each child listed on the passenger transportation checklist who was not present on the vehicle for any reason. An explanation shall be documented in writing whenever a child is transported to a field trip site but is not present on the return trip to the Center.

During an investigation, it was determined that on March 6, 2026, a 4-year-old child was not accounted for during the unloading of the vehicle. The 4-year-old child did not exit the vehicle when the van arrived at the center at 3 p.m. At approximately 5:40 p.m., the child was discovered on the vehicle after the parent’s arrival at the center during pick up time. The staff member found the 4-year-old child in the vehicle, alone and unattended. After approximately 2 hours 40 minutes, staff were made aware that the 4-year-old child was left alone in the vehicle. The center staff incorrectly documented the transportation checklist with a check mark that the child was accounted for when the 4-year-old child did not exit the vehicle and was alone on the vehicle for approximately 2 hours 40 minutes.

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Open / not marked corrected.

591-1-1-.17(2) · Rule 591-1-1-.17(2) requires children’s hygiene to the extent possible; personnel shall keep children clean, dry and comfortable.

During an investigation, it was determined that on March 6, 2026, at 3 p.m., the center staff failed to ensure that a 4-year-old child was comfortable when the child was left alone on the center’s vehicle for approximately 2 hours 40 minutes. The child was described as having “rosy cheeks” and requested water when they were removed from the vehicle. The outdoor temperature was approximately 66-67 degrees during the time the child was on the vehicle.

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Open / not marked corrected.