Complaint·August 9, 2024

On 06/03/2024 the Orange County Child Care Office received a complaint alleging Licensee did not adequately supervise children in care. Reporting Party (RP) stated that 2 children left the childcare due to lack of care and supervision by the licensee. The RP reports "today around lunch time, RP noticed someone was messing with RP\342\200\231s front door lock, so RP took a look through Ring camera app on RP\342\200\231s phone. There were two toddlers, playing in RP\342\200\231s front yard without adult supervision. After looking around and asking around for a few minutes, they turned out to be children attending the previously mentioned daycare next door. There is a gap in the fence, and these kids squeezed through". Additionally, RP stated that at 12:30pm RP\342\200\231s Ring camera showed a delivery driver, but the children are not in sight until 12:42pm. At 12:48pm, the footage shows the RP and another adult trying to get the children and eventually grab them by the hand and start to walk them back in the direction of the daycare. During the investigation, LPAs Valdez Santana and Sun interviewed 3 staff members, 2 adults, and 2 parents. LPAs also obtained a children\342\200\231s roster and Ring camera footage of the incident and a written declaration from the licensee. During staff interviews, Staff 1 (S1) Initially denied that C1 and C2 had eloped out of the daycare and stated that S1 helped C1 and C2\342\200\231s parent get the children out of vehicle at drop off and that the parent was present when C1 wanders to the neighbor\342\200\231s house. S1 said that S1 and parent were never too far away from C1 and that it was a game that C1 liked to play. When LPAs returned to the facility to reinterview S1, S1 admitted that on May 30, 2024 at around 11:45am-12pm C1 and C2 had gotten out of the facility. S1 disclosed, S1 was in the living room with Child #3 (C3); C3 was watching TV and C1 and C2 were playing outside in the backyard. They were alone probably 6 minutes and then the two neighbors brought the two children back. When they came S1 was already starting to come to look for them. S1 said that was the only time C1 and C2 had gotten out. That same day, S1 told S1\342\200\231s spouse and he put a chain and lock on the gate. Staff 2 (S2) and Staff 3 (S3) both denied knowing if any children ever got out of the facility. LPAs also interviewed the bystander, Adult #2 (A2) that helped the RP get the children and walk them back to the daycare. A2 stated A2 was working in front of A2\342\200\231s house when A2 heard A1 asking if the two little children were A2\342\200\231s children. A2 told A1 the children are not A2\342\200\231s children. A1 needed help getting the children because they were running away from A1\342\200\231s front yard to the other corner. A2 said \342\200\234I ran over to help; the 2 children were starting to go half a block down toward the corner house. We got them and walked them back to the daycare lady.\342\200\235 Page 2 of 3. A2 saw that the yard door was open and thinks that\342\200\231s how the children got out. The daycare lady didn't seem to know the children were missing. A2 was upset and A2 told the licensee this was unacceptable. LPAs measured the distance the children traveled according to what the RP and bystander disclosed, and it was 510 feet from the daycare. From the information LPA gathered during this inspection and staff interview, LPA determined that the facility staff failed to provide adequate supervision resulting C1 and C2 were able to wander out of the facility without staff knowing. Based on the video footage reviewed, and interviews conducted, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED. California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 1 Section102417(a) Operation of a Family Child Care Home is being cited on the attached 9099D and civil penalties assessed. LPA Valdez Santana informed facility representative , that this report dated 8/09/2024 documents one Type A citation which shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there is immediate risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care. LPA Valdez Santana also informed the facility representative to provide a copy of this licensing report dated 8/09/2024 , 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. Exit interview was conducted. The Notice of Site Visit was posted for no less than 30 consecutive days. Appeal Rights was explained. A copy of appeal rights (LIC 9058 1/16) was provided and their signatures on this form acknowledges receipt of these rights. First level appeal is to Regional Manager, address is above on the report. Page 3 of 3. End of Report