The Children'S Learning Center At Kennestone Hospital

591-1-1-.11(2) · Rule 591-1-1-.11(2) requires that Personnel not: physically or sexually abuse a child or engage or permit others to engage in sexually overt conduct in the presence of any child enrolled in the Center; inflict corporal/physical punishment upon a child; shake, jerk, pinch or handle a child roughly; verbally abuse or humiliate a child which includes, but is not limited to, the use of threats, profanity or belittling remarks about a child or his family; isolate a child in a dark room, closet or unsupervised area; use mechanical or physical restraints or devices to discipline children; use medication to discipline or control children's behavior without written medical authorization issued by a licensed professional and given with the parent's written consent; restrict unreasonably a child from going to the bathroom; punish toileting accidents; force-feed a child or withhold feeding a child regularly scheduled meals and/or snacks; force or withhold naps; allow children to discipline or humiliate other children; or confine a child for disciplinary purposes to a swing, highchair, infant carrier, walker or jump seat.

During an investigation, it was determined that at approximately 5 p.m. on May 29, 2025, a staff member forcefully grabbed a 7-year-old child as a form of discipline. After the child was told that they could not play with beads, the child pushed the table that they had been using. The staff person then grabbed the child by the arm and made the child sit down, resulting in scratches on the child’s upper arm and upper back.

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591-1-1-.29(1) · Rule 591-1-1-.29(1) requires that within twenty-four (24) hours or the next work day, the Director or designated person-in-charge shall report or cause to be reported any suspected incidents of child abuse, neglect or deprivation to the local County Division of Family and Children Services in accordance with state law and to the Department, notifying that such a report was made.

During an investigation, it was determined that at approximately 5 p.m. on May 29, 2025, a staff member forcefully grabbed a 7-year-old child as a form of discipline, resulting in scratches on the child’s upper arm and upper back. The center did not report the incident to the Division of Family and Children Services and to the Department within twenty-four (24) hours or the next workday as required. The center reported the incident to the Division of Family and Children Services on June 3, 2025, and to DECAL on June 12, 2025.

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