complaint·February 7, 2024

According to the assistant director, there was a conflict between the children, staff intervened and checked on the children and observed no injuries. Staff did not have the opportunity to comfort (C1), as (C1) was already being comforted by the therapist who was working with the child at the time. According to staff #2 (S2), (C1) came up to (C2) and wanted a toy that (C2) had, and (C1) tried to take a toy that (C2) had and (C2) yelled no and responded by hitting (C1). That's when S2 came and helped (C1) and came up to him and looked at him and made sure there were no injuries, and then S2 talked to (C2) about using his words. S2 was trying to help (C1) but the therapist came and took him and walked away with him. Then another staff helped (C1) because his diaper needed to be changed According to staff #3 (S3), she was on the other side of the room and heard the cry from (C1) when she looked over, observed the therapist sitting on a chair in the quiet area and she had (C1) between her legs, she was comforting him, saw (S1) sitting on the floor with (C2) and talking to him. According to staff #4 (S4), she was doing the diapering and when she came out, observed the situation was being addressed. (C1) was being consoled by the therapist and (S2). She then got (C1) to change his diaper. According to the witness, (C1) had a figurine and (C2) had like a little house, then (C1) kept putting his finger in the little house and (C2) kept hitting his arm and taking the toy away. (S2) kept telling (C2) to use his words, and that's when (C2) hit (C1) in the face, and (C1) started crying and ran to me. (S2) was either still talking to (C2) or interacting with other children. I guided (C1) away to a different toy and then that's when (S3) came around and saw (C1) was sad and took (C2) to a different table to talk to him. After that, did not observe any staff comforting (C1). According to witness, staff did not check to see if (C1) was okay. Children interviewed stated that the teacher will talk to them and say don’t hit. No other disclosures were made. LPA found that there were conflicting statements between staff and witness. Based on the above, although the allegations may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations did or did not occur, therefore the allegations are unsubstantiated. An exit interview conducted with Director Tamika Addison. Copy of report provided and Notice of Site Visit provided and shall be posted for 30 days in an area accessible for review.