• Violation

  R 400.1911 · R 400.1911 Care; supervision; children. (1) A licensee shall ensure appropriate care and supervision of children at all times.

  On 04/22/2021, I attempted an unannounced onsite inspection, however, the child care home was closed. There was a signed on the door that stated the child care home would be closed until 04/28/2021. On 04/23/2021, I conducted a telephone interview with the complainant. The complainant said Child J is a relative for the licensee. Child J hits the children at the child care home and Ms. Macfarlane is aware but is doing nothing about it. The complainant spoke with Ms. Macfarlane regarding this issue and Ms. Macfarlane informed the complainant she cannot control Child J. On 04/29/2021, I conducted an unannounced inspection to the home. I interviewed Shelley Macfarlane, child care staff member, Janet Crossley, and Child E (9-year-old female) and Child F (12-year-old female). Ms. Macfarlane said Child I has hit the children in the child care home. She said Child A (6-year-old male) and Child I (7-year-old male) have complained that Child J thumbed them in the head. Ms. Macfarlane said that Child I would aggravate and pick with Child J. She said it was a "two-way thing". She said both Child J and Child I were verbally aggressive towards each other. Ms. Macfarlane said there was a time that she felt she was unable to control Child J, however, Child J is not receiving counseling and things are better. Ms. Macfarlane said Child J started counseling a couple of weeks ago. She said she has also started to keep Child J away from the child care areas of the home. Ms. Macfarlane said Child J is her grandchild and he lives in the home. She said that Child J has experienced a lot of trauma and it is the cause of his behavior problems. 3 Ms. Crossley said she has never witness Child J hit the other children. She denied that any parents or children have complained about Child J. She said Child J listens to her, and she does not have any problems with him. Child E and Child F were interviewed jointly. Both girls said they play with Child J. Child E and Child F said they never witness Child J hit other kids. Both kids denied having any issues with Child J. On 05/13/2021, I conducted a telephone interview Child I's Mother, Child B's (10- year-old male) Mother, and Child C, D, E, and F's Mother. Child I's Mother said she took Child I out of the child care home because Child J kept hitting him. She said she spoke with Ms. Macfarlane multiply times about her concerns; however, nothing was done to correct Child J's behavior. Child I's Mother said Ms. Macfarlane seem to blame Child I for Child J's behavior. Ms. Macfarlane said she told Child I and the other kids to ignore Child J. Child I's Mother said Ms. Macfarlane is very nonchalant regarding her concerns and says she cannot control Child J's behavior. Child B's Mother said Child B and Child J are best friends. Child B has never complained about Child J hitting him. Child B's Mother said she has been going to the child care home for the past 9 years. She has never had any concerns. Child C (6-year-old male), D (6-year-old male), E, and F's Mother said she has known Child J since he was very young. She said Child J has always been an aggressive child and Ms. Macfarlane has allowed him to do what he wants. Child C, D, E and F's Mother said Child E complained of Child J hitting her. She said when Child E spoke with me on 04/29/2021, she was afraid she would get into trouble. Therefore, she lied about Child J hitting her and other kids. She said Child J hit Child E and Child E hit him back. Child C, D, E and F's Mother provide me with permission to interview her children. On 05/17/2021, I conducted an interview with Child A and Child G's (5-year-old female) Mother. She said Child A and Child G has complained about Child J hitting them. She said Child A has said the Child J calls him names, uses profanity, and hits him. Child A and Child G's Mother provide me with permission to interview Child A. On 05/20/2021, I interviewed Child A at school. Child A said Child J hits him and other kids in the child care

Child J (10-year-male) hits and thumps the kids. Licensee, Shelley Macfarlane is not able to control Child J.

Disposition: Substantiated