complaint·September 23, 2022

On September 23, 2022 Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Lea Habtom and Katrina Owens met with director Bernadette Ade to deliver the findings for the above allegations. Today's census consisted of 4 preschool children being supervised by licensee and her assistant. Facility staff uses inappropriate forms of punishment During the investigation, LPA Habtom toured the facility, conducted observation, and interviewed those pertinent to the investigation. It was alleged that staff use inappropriate forms of punishment. LPA L. Habtom learned from interviews that children are told that hot sauce would be put in their mouth for using profanity or vulgar language. LPA L. Habtom was unable to conclude that the punishment was ever followed through. Based on the corroborating statements taken the department has found that a personal rights violation occurred when staff used inappropriate forms of punishment such as threats to punish children to be SUBSTANTIATED: meaning that the allegation is valid because the preponderance of the evidence standard has been met.