Incident investigation·August 13, 2025

On 08/13/2025 Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Doris Whitmore, conducted a case management inspection to follow up on and close out the Unusual incident, reported to the department by telephone on 07/31/2025. LPA met with Director, Telma Rojas and toured the facility. LPA Whitmore observed 74 children with 22 teachers. LPA Whitmore interviewed children and staff. (S1) I was playing with two other children they were playing with a wooden apparatus in the classroom. I saw (C1) bite (C2). (C1) bit (C2) on the back of her legs. I was frustrated and I wanted to tell (S3). I held (C2). I was consoling (C2). I told (C1) that we don’t do that. I was telling (C1) no fighting. I asked (C1) to apologize to (C2). I was frustrated because (C1) has been biting other children in the classroom before. I have talked to the mother about the concerns of (C1) biting, and parent involvement. Something happened next where I am trying to forgive myself for it. I grabbed (C1) by the arm and bit him. I left a bite mark on his forearm. I don’t recall which arm. (S2) the teacher who was with me. (S2) saw what I did, and she did not condone what I did. (S2) got upset and immediately talked to (S3), the director. As soon as (S3) came in she asked what happened? (S2) told (S3) exactly what happened. (S2) explained what happened and what she witnessed. (S3) was very upset and told me to meet her at the office immediately. As soon as I got into the office. (S3) asked me what happened, and she was shocked. I did not know what happened, but I realized what happened. I regret what I did. This is something that I have never done in my life being a teacher. This not me as a person and I really regret it. I wish that I could take it back. After I explained to (S3) what happened, I said it was an accident. (S3) had no words just shocked. (S3) asked me to leave. (S3) had called the executive owner. Ms. Deidre. (S3) told Deidre what happened. Also to confirm that she was going to let her go. She just wanted a confirmation to let me go. The executive owner said yes to let her go. Page 1 Page 2 (S2) I was originally upstairs, and (S3) gave me the option to work with the toddler. I was in the classroom with the one-year-olds. When I walked in (S3) the director mentioned the teachers having some type of sense of humor. (S3) asked (S1) how many children she was expecting? (S1) stated that we may have to stuff them in the closet. (S3) had an odd sense of humor. I don’t think it is professional. Once (S3) stepped out. I asked how many children were in the classroom at the time to (S1). (S1) responded by saying three and we are expecting two more. (S1) was giving me a heads up on how the children temperament was. (S1) said oh we have a biter. His name is (C1). I did not think much of it. The morning went on. (C1) walked in. (S1) she greeted and welcome (C1) with his favorite song. (S1) was on the front end of the classroom, and I was sitting towards the back. On (S1) right side there were a few children. (S1) noticed that (C1) bit (C2) another child. When I asked what happened? (C2) was the last victim of (C1). (C1) had bit every child in the class except (C2). Now he bit (C2). I said OK, I noticed that (S1) was rubbing and holding (C2) where she got bit. I mentioned to (S1) why don’t you have (C2) show (C1) where she got bit. I encouraged the teacher appropriately how to handle the situation. I walked away to let (S1) handle the situation. When I turned around. I noticed that she was holding (C1) in her arms and rubbing his arm. (S2) asked (S1) what happened? (S2) stated that way he knows how it feels and to give him a taste of his own medicine. I asked who bit him? and (S1) responded with I did. So then, I honestly, was in shock. (S2) got down to (S1) level (S1) was sitting down. (S1) was trying to console (C1). (S1) said I did not bite him that hard. (S2) said to (S1) that’s not ok. I grabbed (C1) from her. (S2) said that’s not ok. That’s not teaching the baby anything. (S2) stood up and was still in shock. (S2) was honestly thinking about her own baby. (S2) has a two-year-old in day care. (S2) tells (S1) what you just did scares me. (S2) asks(S1) to call (S3). (S1) was kind of pacing back and forth. ( S1) said I know it was wrong. (S2) kept saying no no that’s not ok. (S2) asked (S1) to call (S3) twice. The second time (S1) said we will wait until (S3) comes. in. So, then I said No. I peeked over to the other side of the classroom. I asked (S4) to please call (S3) who was right outside her door. I don’t think (S4) understood what I was saying. So, I asked her again. When (S3) walked in she was asking who’s watching the babies. (S1) and (S2) both had our back towards the classroom. (S1) and (S2) were trying to get (S3) attention. When (S4) got closer. I was trying to get (S3) attention. (S2) said to (S3) she bit him. (S3) was looking confused, so then (S3) asked (S1) to step out of her classroom and go wait in the office. So, then (S2) explained everything, what happened. (S3) asked (S2) to step out so I can and write what happened. I wrote the document and went back to the classroom. (S2) called her agency and reported what happened.(S2) asked for the number for licensing. The agency told (S2) they did not have it. Page 3 and I told them that I did not feel comfortable being there anymore. (S3) At 9:30 a.m. I was talking to Ms. Claudia who is a Quest teacher who is not an infant toddler classroom. I was instructing Ms. Claudia on how to give breaks. Ms. Astrid popped her head out of her room and (S1) needs to talk to you. I left Ms. Claudia, I walked into Harmony 2 and was walking towards Harmony 1. I saw both teachers facing me (S2) was holding (C1) and I got closer. I was telling both to turn around to supervise the children. As I got closer to the wall. (S1) said you need to fire me and at the same time(S2) was saying that if this was tolerated to do to a child here, she did not want to stay here, At the same time(S1) was saying yes, I bit him you need to fire me. At that moment. I asked (S1) to go to my office, I put (S4) in there they were in ratio. I asked another teacher to step in for the substitute teacher. I asked (S2) to write down everything she saw. (S2) was in the staff room writing what happened. I asked (S2) to come and see me when she is done. At that time, I came to the office closed the door. Spoke to (S1) and what she was repeating and apologizing. I bit him that she thinks that she did it because she was stressed from home, at that moment I said to (S1) give me a second, I am going to call my supervisor Deidre. I called Ms. Deidre. I told her what happened (S1) bit one of her kids. I then I asked what she wanted me to do. I stepped out of the office to the patio. Ms. Deidre asked me what did I want to do. I did not want to respond in front of (S1). I told Ms. Deidre I needed to fire (S1) immediately. Ms. Deidre said OK. LPA Whitmore interviewed (C1) and (C2) and there were no responses from both children. LPA Whitmore obtained during the investigation, a picture of ( C1) arm, written documentation from ( S2) and letter of termination for ( S1).Based on information obtained and interviews conducted ( S1) acknowledged biting ( C1). Therefore deficiency being cited in accordance of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations of Personal Rights. (S1) disclosed during the interview I grabbed (C1) by the arm and bit him. I left a bite mark on his forearm. I don’t recall which arm. (S2) saw what I did, and she did not condone what I did. I regret what I did. This is something that I never done in my life being a teacher. (S2) disclosed during the interview and stated that when she turned around, she noticed that (S1) was holding (C1) in her arms and rubbing his arm. (S2) asked (S1) what happened? (S2) stated that way (C1) knows how it feels and to give him a taste of his medicine. (S2) asked (S1) who bit him? (S1) said I did. (S1) said to (S2) that she did not bite him that hard. LPA Doris Whitmore informed the licensee Telma Rojas that this report dated 08/13/2025 that documents one Type A citation. Type A citation which shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there is/are immed Page 4 iate risk(s) to the health, safety, or personal rights in children in care. Also, LPA Whitmore informed the licensee Telma Rojas to provide a copy of this licensing report dated 08/13/2025 that documents any Type A citation to parents/guardians of all children currently enrolled by the next business day or the next day 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 notice of Site Visit was given and posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted and report reviewed with Director Telma Rojas