Incident investigation·April 17, 2026

On 4/17/26, an unannounced case management inspection was conducted by Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Emily Curiel. LPA met with Director Mel McMillin in response to an Unusual Incident Report received by the Department on 4/9/2026 regarding one child (C1) that was left behind in classroom. There were 35 children being supervised by 10 staff. The director, Mel McMillin was interviewed on 4/17/26. McMillin stated that they were told by a staff member that a child, C1 was left unattended in a classroom. McMillin said C1 was in the classroom for approximately 2-3 minutes before other staff realized C1 was not lined up with other children and C1 appeared unfazed when C1 was found in the class playing with a keychain on their backpack. On 4/17/2026 four staff (S1-S4) were interviewed. S3 stated that it was the end of outdoor play and children, including C1 were lined up and brought inside the turtle classroom to get ready to use the restroom. S3 said that C1 said they were tired and laid down in the classroom. S3 stated they believed another teacher was in the class when they took the rest of the children to use the restroom. S2 stated that they were helping with the transition period for the children coming in from outside time. (Staff interviews continued on 9099-c) S2 stated that they were supervising children lined up to use the restroom when they heard a sound coming from the turtle class. S2 went to investigate the noise and saw C1 in the class playing with a keychain on their backpack. S2 said that C1 appeared unaware that they were alone. S2 stated they think C1 was unsupervised for approximately three minutes. S3 stated that C1 was unattended for no more than five minutes. S1 stated that they believed that C1 was with the other children and was being supervised by another member of staff. All staff interviewed stated since the incident, new procedures are being completed prior to transitions to other rooms to prevent children from being left without supervision. On 4/17/26, one child (C1) was interviewed. C1 stated that they were in the classroom alone because they didn't know the other children were lining up. C1 stated that they were playing with keychains on their backpack while they were alone in the classroom. C1 said they were felt scared when they were alone in the classroom. Based on information reported and interviews conducted the following deficiency is being cited on the LIC809-D: 101229(a)(1) No child(ren) shall be left without the supervision of a teacher at any time. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Mel McMillin. Appeal rights were provided. Notice of site visit was provided and must remain posted for 30 days.