Judith Altadonna

R 400.1911 · R 400.1911 Care; supervision; children. (1) A licensee shall ensure appropriate care and supervision of children at all times.

On 11/15/2022, I received a picture of a child's ankles taped with duct tape over her pants. The picture had been posted to a child care home provider's discussion board about ways to keep children's shoes on. After consultation with area 2 manager, Darlese McConnell, a special investigation was opened for further investigation. On 11/16/2022, I conducted an unannounced onsite inspection at Ms. Altadonna's child care home. I informed Ms. Altadonna that I had received a complaint and asked if she knew what the complaint was about. Ms. Altadonna indicated that it was probably from a picture on social media. Ms. Altadonna thought she had a creative way to keep Child A's (14 month old female) shoes on and shared it with the group. Child A's shoes kept falling off while outside playing and Ms. Altadonna did not want Child A's feet to get hurt stepping on the wood chips. She taped the bottom of Child A's shoes to the bottom of her pant legs to keep the shoes on. The tape never touched Child A's skin and Child A was happy that she could continue playing. Ms. Altadonna then received negative comments on social media including comments that what she had done was child abuse. These comments confused Ms. Altadonna because she really thought it was a clever way to keep Child A's shoes from falling off so she could safely play outside. Ms. Altadonna removed the picture the same day. I provided consultation regarding the use of duct tape on children even if there was no malintent. Ms. Altadonna indicated that she was working with Child A's parents on solutions to keeping Child A's shoes on and Child A's Father had ordered shoes that would hopefully stay on, but the shoes had not arrived. I asked whether she obtained parental consent to post pictures online and she indicated she receives verbal permission from all parents. I provided consultation and recommended that she get written parental permission from parents before posting any pictures online. Child A was not identifiable through the picture since it was a picture of a child's lower leg and shoes. Ms. Altadonna stated she spoke with Child A's father about the shoes and tape and he was not upset. On 11/21/2022, I conducted a telephone interview with Child A's Father. Child A's Father confirmed that he had spoken with Ms. Altadonna about the taping incident. He denied that Child A had any marks or injury as a result of the tape. Child A's Father stated "it was kind of our fault" because they had slip on shoes for Child A and could not find shoes with laces or Velcro in her size, so they had to order some online. Child A's Father laughed at Ms. Altadonna's way of addressing the shoes falling off and thought it was a "little goofy," but in no way malicious. He was not upset at all. After the taping incident, Ms. Altadonna tried to put a pair of larger socks over Child A's shoes and pulled them up to try to keep the shoes on. Child A's Father was satisfied with the care Child A receives at Ms. Altadonna's home and did not have any concerns with her care and supervision. On 12/01/2022, I conducted a telephone interview with Child B's Mother. Child B's Mother indicated that Child B loves going to Ms. Altadonna's home and she has never had any issues with Ms. Altadonna. She was very comfortable with Ms. Altadonna and the care Child B receives. 3 On 12/01/2022, I conducted an exit interview with Ms. Altadonna and informed her that I had not found sufficient evidence to support a violation of the care and supervision rule.

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