Incident investigation·April 11, 2023

On April 11, 2023, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Monique Ayala conducted an unannounced case management inspection for the above facility. This is a subsequent visit from 04/04/2023. A COVID-19 risk assessment was conducted prior to entering the facility. There is a school age license on the same premises, license number 198021017. LPA met with licensee. The purpose of the inspection is to follow up on an incident that occurred at the facility on 04/04/2023. The incident was reported timely to the department. Brief summary of incident: Child #1 (c1) walked away from the facility unsupervised and the neighbor business found the child. The business called the police and they arrived at facility. Per licensee the incident occurred at approximately 10:30 AM to 10:45 AM. Per licensee, the police department did not leave a card/contact information. During this inspection, LPA interviewed Staff #1 (S1), Staff #2 (S2), LPA attempted to interview Child #1 (C1), and LPA obtained a copy of San Gabriel Police Department (SGPD) incident report. Throughout my inspection LPA observed children being left in the classroom without supervision on multiple occasions. Per neighbor #1 (N1), C1 was found unsupervised at 1033 S. San Gabriel Blvd at approximately 10:15am. Per S1, she did not know that C1 was missing until SGPD arrived at the facility and demonstrated a picture of C1. Per S1 that is when she realized that C1 had left the facility. Per N1, C1 was found by an estranged woman on the sidewalk who called 911. Per N1, the estranged woman stated that she observed C1 walking down the sidewalk alone. Based on the SGPD incident report, the child was returned to the facility at 10:48 AM. Per S2, the class was coming back from playing outside and thought that all the children had entered that facility. Per S2, once they entered the facility, they (S1 and S2) locked the doors. S2 stated that she did not realize C1 was missing until SGPD brought C1 back to the facility. Based on interviews conducted and observation the facility is being cited a Type A deficiency in accordance with Title 22 Regulations, 101229(a)(1). 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 parent. An exit interview was conducted and a copy of this report was provided to the licensee along with Notice of Site Visit and Appeal rights.