Incident investigation·April 4, 2024

On 4/4/24 @ 2:35pm a case management visit was conducted by Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Erica Laird, in response to an unusual incident that was self reported in a timely manner by facility owner/director, Heather Lingemann. The incident occurred on 3/26/24 @ approximately 11:16am. Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) was notified within 24 hours and unusual incident report was sent in writing within the 7 days as required. It was reported that Staff (S2) had left a back door unlocked, a preschool child (C1) went out the back door, into the parking lot, and towards the street. Another staff (S1) saw C1 and immediately grabbed C1 before entering the street. It is reported C1 was unattended for approximately 2-3 minutes. LPA Laird met with facility owner/director Heather Lingemann. Heather stated she has spoken to staff 1:1 and reiterated that whenever a classroom is empty, the doors must remain locked. Heather stated she has purchased new lever locks with touchscreen interconnected locks. Heather stated they are having an in-service training tomorrow and will go over blind spots, head counts, and opportunities to discuss issues/concerns. During today's inspection, LPA Laird conducted a total of 4 staff interviews (S1-S4). S2 stated they had left for lunch and remember locking the door to the classroom (Ste. 2). S2 stated they had gone out the back door and forgot to lock it. S2 stated when they came back from lunch, they had heard C1 had gotten outside near the road. S1, S3, and S4 stated they had been outside on the playground with approximately 20 kids when they noticed C1 outside the fence near the road. S1 stated they immediately ran outside and grabbed C1 and brought them back into the playground area. S1 stated C1 was gone anywhere from 1-5 minutes. All staff stated they didn't recall when they had last seen C1 on the playground before being found outside the gate. report continued on 809-C LPA Laird observed video footage. Footage shows C1 entering the classroom and exiting out the back door and into the front parking lot. Child was missing from the playground for approximately 4 minutes according to the video footage. It has been determined through interviews and video footage that a child was left with no supervision for approximately 4 minutes. This presents an immediate risk to the health and safety of children in care. The following violation of the California Code of Regulations, Tittle 22: Division 12 was observed: HSC 1596.99(c)(3)(c) (see LIC809D). An immediate civil penalty of $500 applies. Reports citing Type A violations are to be provided to parents/guardians of children currently in enrolled and should sign LIC 9224 form and to parents/guardians of children newly enrolled at the facility during the next 12 months. Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 days from today’s visit.