Smith Lori

R 400.1913 · R 400.1913 Discipline; child handling. (3) Personnel shall not do any of the following: (a) Hit, spank, shake, bite, pinch, or inflict other forms of corporal punishment. A

On November 12, 2020, I interviewed Child A's Mother and Father in their home, along with Child A had attended Ms. Smith's child care home since and there have been no issues until recently. On October 28, 2020, Child A's Mother received a text that Child A had a "meltdown" shortly after drop off that morning. After picking up on that date, Child A seemed depressed and cried much of the night. Child A also said that her mouth hurt. Child A's Mother said that when she looked in Child A's mouth, she noticed a big, red spot with white around it near the back of her throat. At first Child A said she did not know what happened. Later Child A told her that Ms. Smith shoved a "goldfish" cracker into her mouth as well as a spoon. Child A's Mother also said that Ms. Smith told her that Child A had sat at the kitchen table for an hour and 20 minutes and had only taken once bite of corn dog. Ms. Smith also told her that when Child A left the kitchen table, she threw up. Child A's last day at Ms. Smith's home child care was At this time, Ms. Smith said that she "couldn't meet (Child A's) needs" as the reason why she would no longer be providing child care for Child A. She discussed her experiences with a friend (Child H and I's Mother) whose children had attended Ms. Smith's child care in the past and her she reported having similar experiences at the child care. While at the home of Child A's Mother and Father, I observed — interview Child A 3 On November 12, 2020, I made an unannounced onsite inspection to the child care home. Also present was Ms. Smith said that she expected someone to come out as had put the allegations against her on social media. She confirmed that she let Child A go from her child care as Child A cried every day, especially towards the end of she was in attendance. Child A would be fine if she was held by Ms. Smith or Ms. Smith's assistant but if she was not being held, she would often times scream and just didn't appear to be happy while in Ms. Smith's care. When she told Child A's Mother that she could not meet the needs of Child A, Child A's Mother actually told her that she wished it could have worked out. Ms. Smith was able to confirm this by sending copies of the text in which Child A's Mother stated this. Ms. Smith denied ever having a child sit at the kitchen table for an unreasonable amount of time. She stated that Child A's parents would provide Child A's food and that Child A often did not want to eat it. Child A was not forced to stay at the table, but would often stay there longer as she was a slow eater. Ms. Smith denied ever shoving food and/or a spoon in Child A's mouth. The only things she could possibly think of was that one day she put a "goldfish" cracker in Child A's mouth, but this was not done with any force. She was not sure where the allegation of a spoon being forced in Child A's mouth came from. She did acknowledge that they use spoons for feeding but Child A is able to feed herself. She said that Child A would sometimes get upset while eating and would spit out food and cry. The only time she could recall Child A vomiting was after Child A at a drinkable yogurt and an orange and then when she got up to leave the table, she vomited. Ms. Smith denied ever spanking Child A. Discipline in her home is redirection. While at the home, we spoke with child care staff member, Rebecca Yackle. She said that Child A often had issues with separation when dropped off at the home. Child A also had a hard time eating as she ate very little. Child A would take extra time in eating meals and therefore she might be at the kitchen table longer than other children. They do not make children stay at the table and children can finish eating at any time to do other activities in the home. Ms. Yackle denied ever seeing anyone shove a spoon or food in Child A's mouth. Child A's Mother mostly packed finger foods and that Child A would feed herself. She did recall Child A vomiting once or twice and described Child A