complaint·August 31, 2023

It was alleged that facility staff locked a day care child in a bathroom. Staff denied the allegation and there were no other disclosures or information found that corroborated the allegation. LPAs Susan Brewer and Laura Mejorado inspected the facility bathrooms designated for preschool children and conducted interviews with pertinent parties which revealed that 2 preschool classes have 4 bathrooms stalls with half doors installed. LPAs observed 2 of the 4 half doors to be made of clear plexiglass, that latches and unlatches easily for daycare children. LPAs observed a 3rd classroom designated for preschool to have 2 bathrooms stalls with full doors that do not have locks. During the investigation, pertinent interviews revealed facility staff stand outside the bathroom, in the doorway, to supervise daycare children when using the bathrooms. Multiple interviews disclosed the subject child was locked in a restroom by another peer child under someone else’s care, but not at this facility. In addition, evidence gathered from an outside agency revealed there was a separate investigation which resulted in a determination of “No crime suspected”. However, at 2:55 PM to 2:57 PM during today’s inspection of the Pre-K room, LPAs Susan Brewer and Laura Mejorado, observed a daycare child enter the bathroom and close the door completely shut, while a staff stood outside of the bathroom in the general area of the classroom. At 3:02 PM to 3:04 PM LPAs observed a second daycare child enter the bathroom and close the door completely shut, while a staff stood outside of the bathroom door. Although the doors to the bathrooms in the Pre-K room do not lock, LPAs verified that children are able to close the doors shut to promote privacy, which prevented staff from providing 100 percent supervision as required in Title 22 Regulation. Therefore, the LPAs were unable to confirm if a subject child may or may not have used a bathroom with the door shut and/or made to feel as through a door was locked while they were using the bathroom at the facility. Although the allegation that facility staff locked a day care child in a bathroom may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur due to the facility bathroom doors not having locks, therefore the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED. Exit interview was conducted with Director Alisa Holtegaard, and a copy of this report was provided.