• 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.

  On September 29, 2022, Child Care Licensing received a letter from the complainant dated August 9, 2022. The detailed letter referred to problems that Child A (4-year-old male) had encountered at Trinity Lutheran Early Learning Center. The letter explained that Child A had some behavioral issues that were being addressed by both family and caregivers at Trinity. Up until mid-winter of 2022, Child A's parents believed that Child A's behavior was improving. Then in March of 2022, Child A came home and told his parents that he had been playing outside playing with trucks when Child B (4-year-old male) came over and took a truck. Child A found Child B to get the truck back. The letter alleges that Child B walked back over to Child A and scratched Child A on the left side of his face that left a "deep cut" and two scratches near the left eye. The letter continues that "the emotional and physical scratches are still there today." The cut has turned into a permanent scar. According to the complainant, Child A never complained, cried, or went to his teacher, Child Care Staff Member (CCSM) Tina Fritch. Ms. Fritch told the complainant that she did not see the incident but understood what happened from Child B's explanation. The complainant stated that they did not believe that Ms. Fritch asked Child A what had happened. Child A told Ms. Fritch that it was Child B who scratched him. The complainant stated that Ms. Fritch used Child A as an escape goat by blaming him for the entire altercation. Ms. Fritch response to the situation, according to the complainant, was to have Child B apologize to Child A but was not given a timeout, any form of punishment, or taken to the principal's office. The rest of the letter describes the complainant's interactions with Ms. Fritch, Program Director Sheri Daniell, and School Principal Bruce Volkert. The complainant reiterates that he wanted the school to get his son's side of the story. The letter ends with the allegation that Child A is still traumatized by the incident. Waking up in a cold sweat from nightmares about Child B beating him up and scratching his face. The school has also yet to refund a monetary deposit for the upcoming school year. Throughout the letter there is no indication that Child A received any medical care at the time of the incident in March. On September 29, 2022, I conducted an unannounced inspection at Trinity Lutheran School. Upon arrival I met with Ms. Daniell. We spoke briefly about the allegations and set a date that I could come back to interview Ms. Fritch, who was not available when I arrived, and Mr. Volkert. 3 Ms. Daniell stated that she knew of the specific incident I mentioned that happened in March. At that time there was no visible injury and no call for any medical treatment. She explained that Child A's enrollment was terminated in May 2022. On October 18, 2022, I conducted an announced inspection at Trinity Lutheran. Upon arrival I met with Ms. Daniell and Mr. Volkert. Ms. Daniell explained that Child A started the program exhibiting behavioral issues. While she was speaking to me, she pulled out Child A's file containing over a dozen incident reports where Child A was involved in inappropriate behavior. Both she and Ms. Fritch would have informal talks with Child A's parents about other children being hurt by Child A and what measures the school staff was taking to redirect his behavior. Ms. Daniell stated that Child A's behavior was not intentionally mean more just impulsive play. Child A did not appear to ever hurt anyone intentionally. Both Ms. Daniell and Mr. Volkert were made aware of the specific incident mentioned in the report because of the meetings with Child A's parents. Ms. Daniell stated that Child A did not appear to have any injury that would have been documented for medical treatment that day. If Child A had received the injury as described by the allegations, then first aid would have been administered and medical attention recommended to the

Caregivers do not supervise children on the outdoor playground.

Disposition: Substantiated