complaint·June 10, 2025

On 05/16/2025, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Kruz Long conducted an unannounced Case Management visit to the facility for the purpose of gathering additional information for the complaint received on 03/14/2025. LPA met with Marcela Torres, Director and explained the purpose of the visit. A Covid 19 risk assessment was conducted. There were 40 children enrolled. 12 Staff and 23 Children were present in 4 different classrooms during the visit. On 05/16/2025, Staff #1(S1), Staff #7(S7) and Staff #8(S8) were interviewed a second time. Staff #9(S9) was interviewed on this date as well. During a second interview with the Director, LPA again inquired about possible written documentation pertaining to the complaint investigation. Though Director initially stated on 3/20/2025 that everything was \342\200\234verbal\342\200\235 and had no finding, on 05/16/2025, Director provided copies of statements from Staff # 3,5,8 and 9. Statements were dated as early as 03/06 thru 03/11/2025. One of four statement included eyewitness disclosure involving S7 and S8. Regarding the allegation: Staff member in the infant classroom is mistreating the infants. It was alleged that Staff #7 (S7) mistreated infants. Interviews were conducted with 9 staff members. The following was disclosed by 6 staff members interviewed by LPA: -S2 disclosed that they witnessed S8 handled the children harshly and inappropriately. Observed S8 raise their tone at children when they are crying and forces children to eat. S8 has been observed by S2 to make insulting comments about parents and children. S2 has observed S7 handle children roughly and sprays the children in the face if they are crying. S7 gets frustrated and has been observed to raise their tone with the children. If children are crying, S7 would use intimidating tactics. S2 stated that the concerns were verbally informed to Director about S7 but not S8. Concerns were not put in writing. -S3 disclosed that they witnessed S7 raise their voice with children and talks to children in a loud tone when they try crawling away. S3 stated that they verbally informed the Director and spoke to S7 directly. Though S3 provided LPA with eyewitness statements, written statement provided to Director makes no mention of observed personal rights. page 2 of 4 -S4 disclosed that they witnessed S7 spray the children in the face if they cried. Handle children roughly and at times S7 would pull child\342\200\231s hair. S4 observed that S8 would let the children cry and handled children in a rough manner. According to S4, S7 speaks to children inappropriately. S4 states that initially they opted to keep quiet after S7 mentioned to have a close relationship with the Chief Program Officer, however, S4 informed Director and wrote a statement. Written statement was not provided by Director. According to S4, other staff is reluctant to speak up as well. -S5 disclosed to LPA that they witnessed S7 spray water in children\342\200\231s face but was \342\200\234nothing aggressive\342\200\235. According to S5 they called it to S7\342\200\231s attention but didn\342\200\231t say anything as they know S7 is \342\200\234friends with someone\342\200\235. Written statement dated 3/11/2025 was provided and disclosed that S7 discouraged other staff from holding crying infants as it is a result from being carried to much at home. -S9 disclosed to LPA that they were told by other staff working in the Rainbow Fish room that S7 would violate infant\342\200\231s personal rights. Regarding S8, S9 stated they witnessed S8 pull a child\342\200\231s hair after the child had pulled another child in care. Also stated that S8 was observed to have pushed a child on the floor. According to S9, they informed the Director and wrote a written statement. LPA was able to confirm the documented eyewitness events provided to LPA on 5/16/2025. According to S9, S7 was suspended and allowed to return after a few days. S9 also corroborated with other staff interviews which allege that staff is reluctant to speak up as S7 has a personal relationship with administrative staff. -S7 admitted to spaying water in children\342\200\231s face but states that infants were sprayed while they were \342\200\234playing around\342\200\235 and not malicious in nature. LPA was advised that an internal investigation was conducted by the facility and results of investigation was not substantiated due to staff denying the allegation of mistreatment. Director confirmed that S7 was on leave pending internal investigation and has been transferred to another site. Director also confirmed that the incident was never reported to the department. LPA asked staff why they did not disclose what they witnessed to the director during the internal investigation. Staff stated that they feared retaliation from upper management. LPA obtained 5 written staff statements of which 1 statement indicated concerns of mistreatment of children. page 3 of 4 Information was not fully disclosed to LPA, which included conflicting statements from Director that the incident were not documented. Both S7 and S8 deny allegation regarding personal rights. Parents interviewed did not provide corroborating information of mistreatment and infants were not able to be interviewed due to age. Based on staff interviews conducted and record review, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED. The facility is being cited a Type A deficiency in accordance with California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 1, Article 06, Section 101223(a)(1). Definitions are being cited on the attached LIC 9099D page. A copy of this report shall be provided to the parent/guardian of children currently enrolled by the next business day or immediately upon return. A copy of this report shall also be provided to the parent/guardian of any newly enrolled children for the next 12 months (1 year). Acknowledgement of Receipt (LIC 9224 form) must be maintained in each child\342\200\231s file immediately upon receipt from parents. An exit interview was conducted and a copy of this report and appeal rights was provided to Victoria Casas, Assistant Director. A Notice of Site Visit was also provided, Notice of Site Visit must be posted for 30 days. Amended report was signed by Victoria Casas (Assistant Director). page 4 of 4