• 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. 4

  I received a telephone call from program director, Amy Hart, on 03/25/2021 to report an incident. Child A was on the floor and lead caregiver, Kim 2 Whitmore, accidentally stepped on Child A's torso. She does not have any concerns that this was done intentionally and believes this was an accident. Child A and Child B's parents have picked him up and he is going to be seen by a doctor. She will send the incident report as soon as she hears back from the Child A and Child B's Parents. I received the incident report via email from Ms. Hart on 03/26/2021. I also received an email with child information cards and contact information for Child Care Staff Members (CCSMs). I conducted an unannounced onsite inspection at the center on 03/29/2021. I interviewed Ms. Hart regarding the allegations. Child A was upset when getting dropped off and had only been there approximately 15 minutes before the incident occurred. She explained that Child A rolled under lead caregiver, Kim Whitmore's, foot as she was stepping back. CCSM, Kasmin Guthrie, was also present and saw it happen but was not close enough to prevent it. After the incident, Ms. Whitmore undressed Child A down to his diaper and did not see any red marks or anything else concerning. Ms. Hart also looked the child over and did not see any marks or indication that Child A was injured. CCSMs continued to monitor Child A. They noticed he was not as mobile or playing like he usually does and wanted instead to be held. They tried feeding him and comforting him and eventually noticed that he was looking pale and decided to call licensee, Sandy Paluch, and contact the parents. Child A and Child B's Parents took him to the doctor. The incident resulted in a broken clavicle. I made telephone contact with Ms. Whitmore on 04/09/2021. She stated that this was a complete accident, and she feels terrible. Child A had arrived at the center after having a rough night and morning. He was already a little upset. Ms. Whitmore is Child A's primary caregiver. She was holding another baby in the rocking chair and stood up to swaddle the baby on the seat. She looked behind her and noticed Child A playing on the floor. She finished swaddling the baby and looked behind her again before stepping. When she stepped back, felt something under her foot, and stepped to the side. Child A started crying so she immediately picked him up and stripped him down to his diaper to look him over. She did not notice any red marks or areas of concern and thought she had just scared him. She notified Ms. Hart immediately. Ms. Hart also looked over Child A and did not notice anything concerning. Ms. Whitmore continued to monitor Child A. He was being a little clingy and not as mobile as he normally is, so she fed him breakfast and continued to try to soothe and comfort him. She thought he looked a little pale and talked with Ms. Hart and Ms. Paulch, and then contacted Child A and Child B's Parents to pick up. Child A was seen by a doctor and had a broken clavicle. Ms. Whitmore was very upset and apologetic stating that it was an accident and just happened so fast. She had talked with Child A and Child B's Parents. 3 I spoke over the telephone with Ms. Guthrie on 04/09/2021. She stated she was a "float" that day and was only in the infant room for approximately 15 minutes. She was sitting on the floor when the incident occurred and saw what happened. She was not close enough to prevent it from occurring. Child A was on the floor sitting up playing. Ms. Whitmore looked behind her, picked up a baby from the chair, and looked again before stepping backwards. As she stepped, Child A laid down and rolled over where Ms. Whitmore's foot came down. It looked like her foot just barely clipped Child A's torso with the heel of her shoe. Ms. Guthrie took the baby from Ms. Whitmore so she could tend to Child A. Ms. Whitmore looked over Child A and did not see any marks, "but he was acting off'. They ended up contacting Child A and Child B'

Child care staff members were not providing appropriate care and supervision when an infant was stepped on.

Disposition: Substantiated