On June 17, 2022 through July 13, 2022 - The department conducted an unannounced investigation in response to a report of concern received by the department.  Upon completion of the investigation the department found the following allegations to be substantiated: children in the infant and toddler rooms are being hit on their hands, arms, butts, and mouths for normal developmental behaviors; children in the infant and toddler rooms are having their mouths covered for crying; caregivers in the infant and toddler rooms are sleeping while caring for children; children are being talked and/or yelled at to “shut up” and are being called “bitches” and “bastards;” and children are being left alone on the diapering table.

Upon completion of the investigation the department found the following allegations to be unsubstantiated: caregivers are caring for children while high on marijuana; a caregiver is physically restraining children and covering their mouths for 5 to 10 minutes; caregivers in the toddler room are unaware of how children are receiving injuries; a vaping pen is being used on site that can be smelled throughout the facility; and children are being left to sleep on u-shaped pillows.

Additionally, upon completion of the investigation, the department found the facility out of compliance with the following: the administrator failed to appropriately supervise and discipline staff; a child in the toddler room went up to a caregiver crying and the caregiver walked away; an infant child was put to sleep in a heavy winter sleeper in a room with a temperature of 78.1 degrees Fahrenheit; a caregiver left a child alone on a diapering table; several staff have slept while caring for children; a caregiver in the infant room was physically disciplining children on the hand and hovering a hand over a child’s mouth to quiet the child; a caregiver was calling infants “big cry babies” and one child a “crack head;” and a caregiver failed to wash her hands after diapering.

As a result of the documented issues of non-compliance the facility was issued an enforcement action in the form of a Warning Notice.

A Plan of Correction was submitted to the department bringing the facility into regulatory compliance.