• Violation

  R 400.8125 · R 400.8125 Staff; volunteer; requirements. (1) All staff and volunteers shall provide appropriate care and supervision of children at all times.

  On 04/08/2022, I conducted a telephone interview with Child A's Mother. Child A was dropped off on 03/30/2022 at the center after a doctor's appointment. Child A was crying when he was entering the center. When picked up Child A informed his mother that his teacher, Ms. Dewberrry "topped" him. Topping in his family means to hit. Child A's Mother asked him to demonstrate the force to gage if Ms. Dewberry was redirecting or harmfully hitting him. Child A hit his mother very hard across the arm. Child A's Mother asked him if Ms. Dewberry was just trying to get his attention and Child A insisted that she hit him on his back hard. Child A was asked what Ms. Dewberry said after that and Child A said, "something like get to class". Child A's Mother has not sent Child A back to the center since 03/30/2022. Ms. Courtney is Child A's teacher so she is not sure why Ms. Dewberry and Child A would have been interacting. Child A's Mother believes that when he was being dropped off and he was in the hall crying Ms. Dewberry may have seen him and hit him on his back to get to class. However, Child A's Mother is not sure if that is what happened. Child A's Mother texted the family specialist Adrienne Word on 03/30/2022 requesting that she contact her. Ms. Word called her on 03/30/2022 and told her that the program director would be reaching out to her. The program director, Crystal Trent called her that same day and informed her that she would be looking into accessing the camera footage. Child A has been attending since 9/2021 and has never attended any other child care facilities. Child A's Mother has not had any other issues or concerns about care or supervision. Child A's Mother is upset that the director did not follow up with her to let her know if the cameras were viewed. On 04/12/2022, I completed an unannounced inspection at Matrix Lakewood Manor. I interviewed program director Crystal Trent, child care staff members (CCSMs) Adrienne Word and Courtney Gilbert. Program director, Ms. Trent states that Child A was dropped off around 9:45 a.m. on 03/30/2022. Ms. Trent went to meet Child A's Mother at the door to discuss why Child A was coming in so late. Child A's Mother informed Ms. Trent that Child A had a doctor's appointment that morning. Child A was crying at the door and did not want to come in. Child A's Mother had to push him in. CCSM Courtney Gilbert was at the door to receive him and trying to get him to calm down. After Ms. Trent spoke with Child A's Mother she went to the other side of the building. Child A left for the school day at 2:45 p.m. on 03/30/2022. Around 3:30 p.m. Child A's Mother texted Ms. Word and requested that Ms. Word contact her. After speaking with Child A's Mother, Ms. Word immediately informed her that Child A said his teacher hit him. Ms. Trent called in CCSM Courtney Gilbert and Satera Whitfield. Ms. Gilbert works as the lead teacher in Child A's classroom and Ms. Whitfield is the assistant teacher. Ms. Trent and Ms. Word informed them of the allegations. Both Ms. Gilbert and Ms. Whitfield asked if Child A said which teacher hit him, and both denied hitting Child A. Ms. Trent contacted Child A's Mother on 03/30/2022 and told her that she would investigate and get back to her. Ms. Trent asked Child A's Mother if Child A told her the teacher's name, and Child A's Mother said no. When Child A did not come to 4 school the next day, 03/31/2022, Ms. Trent contacted Child A's Mother to see if she had spoken to Child A to get a teacher's name. Child A's Mother provided her with Ms. Dewberry's name and told her about the reenactment that she had Child A do. Ms. Trent informed Child A's Mother that she was a mandated reporter and would be making a complaint to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). Child A's Mother became upset with Ms. Trent and told her, "She was doing too much", and that she would like to personally view the camera footage. Ms. Trent informed Child A's Mother that due to

Child care staff member (CCSM) Cheryl Dewberry slapped Child A (3-year-old, male) on the back.

Disposition: Substantiated