Gillespie, Tonya

R 400.1903 · ............................................... R 400.1903 Licensee responsibilities. (8) To comply with section 3c of the act, MCL 722.113c, a licensee shall have a policy and procedure on smoking and vaping that includes all of the following: (a) Ensure that smoking and vaping do not occur in child-use space, on the premises of a child care home while children are in care, and in a vehicle when used to transport children who are in care.

The complainant stated that licensee Tonya Gillespie smokes cigarettes in the presence of child care children. The complainant has not personally witnessed Ms. Gillespie smoking cigarettes in the presence of child care children. Licensee, Tonya Gillespie stated that she smokes cigarettes in the home however she does not smoke during child care hours. She stated that parents were notified at the time of enrollment that she is a smoker when they completed the child in care statement together. I reviewed the child in care statements for children in care and 2 Ms. Gillespie indicated on the forms that she does smoke cigarettes but not when children are in care. During the onsite inspection on August 30, 2022, I did not see any cigarettes or ash trays, however I could tell by the smell that cigarettes were smoked in the home. I attempted to contact the parents of Child A, Child B and Child C but I did not receive a return call.

View state record

R 400.1913 · 1 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.

The complainant stated that Tonya Gillespie is verbally and physically abusive to children in her care. The complainant did not report personally witnessing Ms. Gillespie being verbally or physically abusive to children but knows that Ms. Gillespie is not "good with children". Ms. Gillespie denied being verbally or physically abusive to children. She stated that she is in the middle of a dispute with her daughter regarding her 15-year-old grandson who was living in her home since March 2022. She stated that she recently had a dispute with her daughter. She believes that her daughter has made these false allegations against her because of their disagreement. Ms. Gillespie stated that she had been estranged from her daughter for many years until her daughter contacted her asking if her grandson could live with her. Ms. Gillespie stated that her grandson had been living in her home for months until August 16, 2022, when his mother picked him up for a doctor's appointment. Ms. Gillespie stated that her grandson has not returned to the home since that time. Ms. Gillespie's written discipline policy indicates that she uses redirection with children. The policy also states that she does not use any type of physical discipline. I attempted to contact the parents of Child A, Child B and Child C but I did not receive a return call.

View state record

R 400.1913 · R 400.1913 Discipline; child handling. (3) Personnel shall not do any of the following: (d) Inflict mental or emotional stress, such as humiliating, shaming, threatening a child, or using derogatory remarks. 4

The complainant stated that Ms. Gillespie drinks beer and smokes crack cocaine in the home in the presence of child care children. The complainant has not personally witnessed Ms. Gillespie drinking beer or using drugs in the presence of children but believes that she does. Ms. Gillespie denied drinking beer or using crack cocaine in the home in the presence of child care children. Ms. Gillespie stated that sometimes she drinks beer on the weekends but never during child care hours. She stated that she does not use crack cocaine or any other drug at all. I attempted to contact the parents of Child A, Child B and Child C but I did not receive a return call.

View state record

R 400.1926 · R 400.1926 Conducive to the welfare of children. (1) In carrying-out its duties under section 5m of the act, MCL 722.115m, to determine whether or not a service, facility, applicant, licensee, child care staff member, child care assistant, or member of the household is conducive to the welfare of preschool or school-age children, the department shall deem any of the following behaviors as not conducive to the welfare of children: possession or use of alcohol, tobacco products, marihuana and, except as provided in subrule (2) of this rule, any controlled substance in a child-use area, or on the premises of a child care home while children are in care.

Ms. Gillespie does not use any controlled substances or alcohol in the home while children are in care.

View state record

R 400.1903 · R 400.1903 Licensee responsibilities. Responsibilities. (1) A licensee shall be responsible for all of the following provisions: (g) Report to the department within, 3 business days, any changes in the household composition or when any new or existing member of the household or child care personnel has any of the following: (i) An arrest. (ii) A conviction. (iii) An arraignment for an offense that if convicted would lead to that individual's ineligibility to be connected with a child care home. (iv) Is being investigated by the state department of health and human services for an allegation of child abuse or neglect. (v) Is under court supervised parole or probation. (vi) Has been admitted to, or released from, a correctional facility. (vii) Has been admitted to or released from a health facility or agency that was providing mental health or substance use disorder treatment services to the individual.

Ms. Gillespie did not report to the department that her 15-year- old grandson moved into her home in March 2022 within 3 business days of the change of household composition.

View state record

R 400.1919 · R 400.1919 Communicable disease; immunization; mental and physical health; physician attestation; tuberculosis. (3) An applicant, licensee, child care staff member, child care assistant, and a member of the household who is age 14 or older shall provide written evidence of freedom from communicable tuberculosis (TB) prior to caring for children or living in the child care home.

Ms. Gillespie did provide written evidence of her 15-year-old grandson's freedom from TB prior to allowing him to live in her home.

View state record