.......................... R 400.8125 Staff; volunteer; requirements. ........................... (1) All staff and volunteers shall provide appropriate care and supervision of children at all times.
On 4/21/2021 I made a telephone call to Child A's (3-year-old, female) Mother who stated that Child A has been enrolled in the center since she was 2 years old and has been in the current preschool classroom since Sept 2020. Child A's Mother denied having any previous concerns regarding Child A having any unexplained marks or bruises. With regards to Child A's current injury and how it happened, nobody knows for sure. She also indicated that Child A is 3 years old and she believes "she is making up stories as we go." On Monday, April 19, 2021, child care staff member, Anna Goldenbogen, told Child A's Mother her that Child A was limping. Ms. Goldenbogen told her that she did not know what was wrong with her leg and that Child A said that she fell. Then a few minutes later, child care staff member, Jill Szymanski, came in from outside with the preschool class and told her that Child A was limping. At that point it was time for lunch and naptime. When Child A woke up from nap she was crying and did not want to walk. Child A's Mother had to carry Child A. After they got home, she took Child A to McLaren Hospital where they took x-rays and indicated that Child A's knee may or may not be fractured. Child A's Mother then followed up with an orthopedic doctor who did not see any fractures. The orthopedic doctor recommended to keep her knee wrapped up and rest it for couple of days. Child A does appear to be getting better. Child A's Mother indicated that she asked Child A what happened to her leg. First Child A said she fell in the bathroom, then she said she fell at home, and then said she fell at her grandmas. Then on April 20, 2021, out of the blue, Child A said"Ms. Jill pushed me". Then Child B's (4-year-old, female) Mother texted her and told her that Child B said that Ms. Jill pushed Child A. Child A's Mother did not push for any other information. She did grant this consultant to forensically interview Child A. Child A's Mother stated that Ms. Szymanski is not that kind of person and that she has never seen her be anything but nice with the children. Child A's Mother honestly does not believe it happened and that she has never had any concerns before. Child A remains enrolled in the center. On 4/21/21, I also spoke with Cassidy Gordon, child care staff member by telephone. Ms. Gordon has been working at the center since September 2020 in in the Turtle Preschool Room. Ms. Gordon stated that on 04/19/2021, she did not notice Child A limping but noticed that she was walking way slower. Ms. Gordon did not think anything of it because she thought Child A was tired because it was nap time. Child A had just finished with lunch and was going to her cot to lay down 3 when she came up to Ms. Gordon and said "but Ms. Cassidy my leg really hurts, Ms. Jill pushed me". Ms. Gordon indicated that Child A just came up to her and offered that information and did not elaborate on where or when this happened. Ms. Gordon stated that Ms. Szymanski is the only morning caregiver in the room and that she is the only afternoon caregiver. However, their shifts do overlap a bit and after Child A told her about her leg, Ms. Gordon asked Ms. Szymanski what was wrong with Child A's leg. Ms. Szymanski told her that Child A fell downstairs at her house. Ms. Gordon did tell Child A's Mother that Child A's leg hurt and that Child A said she fell down the stairs. Child A did not fall down the stairs, at least that Child A's Mother knew of. When Child A's Mother woke Child A up after nap time, Child A could not stand up and put pressure on her leg. Ms. Gordon has never witnessed Ms. Szymanski be inappropriate with Child A. On 4/21/21, I privately spoke with Anna Goldenbogen, child care staff member by telephone. Ms. Goldenbogen has worked at the center since September 2020 and in the Dragon Fly Room. Ms. Goldenbogen noticed Child A limping on 04/19/2021. Child A was walking back from bathroom (which is in the hallway) and was walking weird and dragging her right l