• Violation

  R 400.8140 · R 400.8140 Discipline. (2) All of the following means of punishment are prohibited: (c) Restricting a child's movement by binding or tying him or her. 7

  On 01/21/2021, I spoke on a conference call to Michelle Falcon, superintendent of Morrice Schools and Susan Alleman, program director of Morrice Elementary Preschool program regarding the allegations. Ms. Falcon stated that she is new to the district and was not familiar with licensing investigations and did not know the staff or families well enough to know the dynamics of what happened. Therefore, she had Ms. Alleman come into her office and wanted us to all speak together. Ms. Falcon stated Child A's mother came into her office on 01/19/2021 to discuss an incident that occurred with Child A the week prior in the GSRP classroom. She stated she spoke to Child A's mother for 45 minutes and was informed that Child A had alleged that the assistant child care staff member, Rachel Hulbert had laid on him during rest time. Ms. Falcon stated she did not know the extent of how Ms. Hulbert laid on Child A and if it was in an aggressive way. I asked Ms. Alleman when the incident occurred and if she was aware of it. She stated that the incident happened the previous Wednesday (01/13/2021) and she has since spoken to all parties involved. She stated Ms. Hulbert had been sitting next to the child at rest time to help him get to sleep. She stated she spoke to lead caregiver Michelle Rose, Ms. Hulbert and Child A's mother between Wednesday and Friday. When Ms. Alleman spoke to Ms. Rose, Ms. Rose informed her that the day was run like any other day with no issues or concerns with any children or staff members. Ms. Rose told her that in the evening of Wednesday 01/13/2021, Ms. Rose received a phone call from another staff member, Jamie Farrow, who is very close to Child A's family, stating Child A had told her Ms. Hulbert sat on him. Ms. Rose called Child A's mother immediately to speak to her about the incident. Child A's mother wrote Ms. Rose an email a day later thanking her for clarifying the situation and did not have any further concerns. The next day, Thursday 01/14/2021, Ms. Alleman spoke to Ms. Falcon and informed her of the incident as that is their protocol to inform all administrations if an allegation is made about staff. On Friday 01/15/2021, Ms. Alleman received a voicemail at 9:45 AM from Child A's mother that she had some red flags regarding the incident from Wednesday. Ms. Alleman called her back later in the afternoon and Child A's mother told her that she was very happy with the staff and school; she just just found it weird how many people Child A had told. She stated Child A had told his ninja coach, other teachers, and his grandparents that Ms. Hulbert had sat on him at rest time. Child A's mother did not want to have a conference with both child care staff members about the issue and stated again how happy she was with both staff. I asked Ms. Alleman to explain how rest time goes in the classroom if a child needs assistance; she stated that during rest time if a child is having a hard time sitting still or lying on their cot, a staff member will give them extra support and either rub their back, play with their hair, or just sit with them. She stated the staff members will sit 3 on the floor next to the child or in a chair, whatever works for the child and staff. At no time is it allowed to lay on a child or hold a child down with any part of their body. I explained to Ms. Alleman that an onsite inspection for the investigation would be completed and she can provide more information at that time. On 01/20/2021, I spoke to the complainant via telephone who stated that they do not believe anything happened to the child that was inappropriate or aggressive; however, so many people within administration of Morrice schools knew about the incident now and felt it had to be called in. The complainant stated they felt Ms. Alleman had handled the situation appropriately and did not have any other concerns with the staff. On 01/22/2021, I made an onsite inspection at Morrice Elementary GSRP Preschool and interviewed Ms. Alleman

Child care staff member, Rachel Hulbert laid across Child A during nap time. F

Disposition: Substantiated