complaint·March 20, 2024

It was alleged that Licensee, Shauntel Joyce inappropriately handled a daycare child by using physical discipline that resulted in a bruised area of their body. Evidence collected by IB Investigator Tallagua, revealed that the medical examination confirmed the daycare child sustained bruises on an area of their body that corroborates with physical mistreatment.However, during the investigation it was not confirmed if the bruises occurred while the daycare child was at the facility or who caused the bruises to the daycare child. Per interviews conducted, and information gathered the licensee denied the allegations of causing injuries to a daycare child and denied the use of physical discipline with any daycare children. It should be noted, the licensee did not see a bruise on the daycare child’s buttocks while enrolled at the facility nor they did observe bruises on the daycare child on their last day in care at the facility. It was also disclosed that the licensee observed a rash on the daycare child’s buttocks on more than one occasion during their enrollment at the facility and communicated with the parents of the daycare child. It was disclosed that when daycare children experience challenging behaviors, the licensee provides redirection that may include alternate activities such as one to one engagement, explaining to the daycare child what they could have handled differently, and parent communication. It was noted that a family member of the daycare child has physically disciplined the daycare child on the buttocks occasionally when the daycare child was not at the facility. It was also disclosed that family members of the daycare child denied causing the bruises to the daycare child because physical discipline was not hard enough to cause injuries and the daycare child is fully clothed during the incidents. Lastly, pertinent parties did not make any disclosures of witnessing daycare children being physically disciplined by licensee or the daycare child family members. Based on information obtained during this investigation through interviews conducted, the review of pertinent documentation, and after receiving conflicting information, the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED. A finding that the allegation is unsubstantiated means that although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove that the allegation occurred. Report Continued On LIC9099-C No deficiencies cited at this time. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted on, or immediately adjacent to, the interior side of the main door for 30 days. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the Licensee, Shauntel Joyce.