• Violation

  R 400.8140 · R 400.8140 Discipline. (2) All of the following means of punishment are prohibited: (a) Hitting, spanking, shaking, biting, pinching, or inflicting other forms of corporal punishment. 4

  On October 22, 2021, I initiated this investigation with an unannounced on-site visit. During the visit, I interviewed the licensee designee, Shirley Mohney, and childcare staff members Judy Flanigan and Julie Hoyt-Kessler. Child A was present at the facility. Shirley Mohney reiterated the information written in the incident report that was submitted to the department. Ms. Mohney said on September 29, 2021, Child A's Mother observed Deborah Brown grabbing Child A's face. Ms. Brown's employment has been terminated due to this incident. On October 22, 2021, Judy Flanigan said she did not observe the reported incident. She had already left work. Ms. Flanigan does not have any concerns with Ms. Brown however, Ms. Brown's tone was often "loud" with the children in care. Ms. Flanigan has never witnessed Ms. Brown using inappropriate discipline. On October 22, 2021, Julie Hoyt-Kessler said she was present when Ms. Brown grabbed Child A's face. Child A and two other children were sitting at the green table playing. Ms. Brown then yelled "Be Quiet!" When the children did not quiet down, Ms. Brown grabbed Child A's face and told her to be quiet. Child A's Mother walked in as this was happening. Child A's Mother walked over and picked up Child A. When Ms. Brown saw Child A's Mother, she spoke to her as if nothing happened. She has observed Ms. Brown being loud with the children in the past. On November 3, 2021, Child A's Mother was interviewed by telephone. She said Ms. Brown is very stern and is always yelling. On the date in question, Child A's Mother walked into the classroom just as Ms. Brown was yelling, "be quiet" and grabbing Child A's face. She instantly picked up Child A and gathered her items. When Ms. Brown saw her, she did not act as if she was doing anything wrong. Instead, she complimented Child A's lunchbox as they were leaving out of the room. She reported the incident to William Mohney, the center's manager. Child A is still enrolled because Ms. Brown is no longer employed there. Child A did not have any marks or bruises as a result of this. On November 15, 2021, William Mohney was interviewed by telephone, he said he did not see Ms. Brown grabbing Child A, however he was present in the building. After the incident occurred, Child A's Mother and child care staff member, Isabella McAuliffe reported the incident to him. He told Ms. Brown not to return to the childcare. After discussing the incident with Ms. Mohney, they decided it best to terminate Ms. Brown's employment. Prior to this, there was never any incidents reported regarding Ms. Brown being inappropriate with the children in care. On November 15, 2021, childcare staff member Isabella McAuliffe was interviewed by phone, she said she was present in the classroom during the reported incident. She said as Child A's Mother was coming into the classroom, Ms. Brown was 3 grabbing Child A's face and yelling "Be quiet!". At that point, she heard Child A's mother say, "Not my kid!" and picked up Lucy. Ms. Brown stood there like nothing had happened. Ms. McAuliffe did not hear Ms Brown say anything to Child A's Mother. Ms. McAuliffe accompanied Child A's Mother to the office to report the incident to Mr. Mohney. Prior to this, she had r o concern with Ms. Brown. I reviewed the center's discipline policy. Each childcare staff member stated that they were aware of the policy and abided by it. I attempted to interview Ms. Brown via telephone on October 22, 2021, and November 15, 2021. At the time of this report, she has not returned my calls. Ms. Brown's employment has been terminated as a result of this incident.

Child care staff member, Deborah Brown grabbed Child A (2- year-old- female) by the face.

Disposition: Substantiated