Incident investigation·November 10, 2025

On November 10, 2025, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Paul Garcia conducted an unannounced Case Management Incident inspection at the facility. Upon arrival, LPA met with Kings County Early Childhood Education (ECE) Administrator, Marlene Tapia. LPA Garcia toured the facility\342\200\231s licensed areas and took a census of the children in care. The purpose of this inspection was to follow up on an unusual incident reported to the Fresno Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) on October 13, 2025. The report involved Child 1 (C1), who was found unsupervised outside the secure perimeter fence of the elementary school by his/her father. Prior to the inspection LPA Garcia conducted interviews with witnesses and (ECE) Administrator Marlene Tapia herself to gather additional information regarding the circumstances of the incident, supervision protocols, and any corrective actions taken. Further observations were conducted to assess compliance with Title 22 regulations and to provide guidance pertaining to the continued safety and supervision of children in care. Incident Summary On Friday, October 10, 2025, at approximately 3:15 p.m., during the dismissal process, a child exited the facility grounds by slipping past the Site Supervisor positioned at the entrance/exit gate, undetected. The child was not signed out by an authorized adult, and the parent was not present in the designated dismissal area at the time. Shortly thereafter, the child\342\200\231s father observed his child near the curb adjacent to the facility\342\200\231s parking lot, following a period during which the child was observed unsupervised in the parking lot roadway. He promptly returned to the dismissal gate with the child to report the incident and to share his observations directly with the Site Supervisor. Interviews Interviews revealed that facility staff had altered the sign-in/sign-out procedures for their own convenience, opting to release all children at once to expedite the process. This unauthorized modification, which occurred two times prior to Friday, October 10, 2025, resulted in significant supervision concerns and constituted a serious violation of regulatory standards. Based on information gathered through interviews and a complete review of the incident, it was determined that facility staff failed to ensure that (C1) was under the direct supervision of a teacher at all times and submitted reports to the department faled to contain accurate information. This absence in supervision contributed to C1 being able to exit the secure perimeter without detection, resulting in a serious breach of safety protocol and the absence of critical details that failed to be disclosed in writing as required per reporting requierments. Per Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 1, of the California Code of Regulations, the following deficiencies are cited: (see next page, 809 D) LPA Paul Garcia informed licensee Marlene Tapia that this report dated November 10, 2025, documents one Type A citation which shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there are immediate risks to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care. Also, LPA Paul Garcia informed the facility representative to provide a copy of this licensing report dated November 10, 2025, that documents any Type A citation to parents/guardians of all children currently enrolled by the next business day or the next day the children are in care, and to any newly enrolled parents/guardians for 12 months from the date of this report. A signed Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Report (LIC 9224), or other written statement, must be placed in the child's file for verification. An exit interview was conducted, and this report was reviewed with the facility representative Marlene Tapia. Notice of site visit was issued and must remain posted for 30 days. Appeal Rights were discussed and issued.