Petitioner: DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Respondent: PATHWAYS TO LEARNING, LLC
Judges: LYNNE A. QUIMBY-PENNOCK
Agency: Department of Children and Family Services
Locations: Bradenton, Florida
Filed: Oct. 03, 2018
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Wednesday, January 23, 2019.
Latest Update: Dec. 26, 2024
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STATE OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Pathways to Learning, LLC MANATEE COUNTY
1300 Manatee Avenue E Certified Mail Return Receipt
Bradenton, FL 34208 7015 0640 0002 7028 4721
CASE # 2018-C12MA0286-01
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Department hereby imposes a fine of five
hundred dollars ($500.00). The Department's authority and grounds to impose this
sanction are explained below.
1
The Department of Children and Families is authorized by section 402.310, Florida
Statutes (F.S.), to sanction Pathways to Learning, LLC, for violation of child care
licensing standards in section 402.301 — 402.319, F.S., and chapter 65C-22, Florida
Administrative Code (F.A.C.).
Pathways to Learning, LLC is licensed under chapter 402, F.S., and chapter 65C-22,
F.A.C., to operate a child care facility located at 1300 Manatee Avenue E, Bradenton,
FL 34208 The facility license is currently on annual status, certificate #C12MA0286.
On June 5, 2018, Child Care Regulation Counselor (CCRC) conducted a complaint
inspection and found the facility to be out of compliance with Section 2.4 of the Child
Care Facility Handbook, incorporated by reference in Rule 65C-22.001(6) regarding
supervision. On the morning of May 24, 2018, A.B.’s father called Ms. Crockett to care
for A.B., a five-year-old child, because A.B. was suspended from schoo! that day. Ms.
Crockett claimed that she agreed to watch A.B. as a personal favor to the father,
however the father admitted to the collateral agency investigator that he paid Ms.
Crockett in advance to watch his children and had about three days’ worth of “credit”
for child care. A.B. was not currently enrolled in Ms. Crockett’s facility, but attended
the year before. A.B.’s father dropped off A.B. at the facility and relinquished
supervision to Ms. Crockett at the facility during operating hours. Ms. Crockett brought
A.B. with her as she conducted errands, going to a local Sam’s Club with the child.
The store's surveillance shows Ms. Crockett entering the store alone, and then A.B.
entering the store alone about 20 minutes after Ms. Crockett. Ms. Gladys Fontanez, a
Sam's Club employee, was working as a greeter at the front door when A.B.
approached her. A.B. was seen crying and sweating and disclosed to Ms. Fontanez
that he was sleeping and woke up alone in the vehicle. A.B. was able to get out the
vehicle and walked across the parking lot alone. While talking to Ms. Fontanez, A.B.
saw his grandmother, who worked at the Sam’s Club and ran to her. A.B. and his
grandmother reunited with Ms. Crockett at the store’s exit about 10 minutes later.
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4, A.B. was locked in a vehicle, exited the vehicle, and crossed a large parking lot alone,
which posed an imminent threat to a child, and could have resulted in serious harm or
death to the health, safety, or well-being of the child. Furthermore, this inspection was
conducted in conjunction with a collateral agency and law enforcement investigations.
Collateral agency also concluded their investigation with a “verified” finding of
inadequate supervision of A.B. This violation of licensing standards is a Class |
violation for inadequate supervision. Further administrative action is required.
5. The foregoing facts violate Section 2.4 of the Child Care Facility Handbook,
incorporated by reference in Rule 65C-22.001(6), F.A.C. (effective October 25, 2017)
states in part: ;
2.4.1 General Supervision Requirements
B. Child care personnel must be assigned to provide direct supervision to a
specific group of children and be with that group of children at all times.
Children must never be left inside or outside the facility, in a vehicle, or
at a field trip location by themselves.
C. Supervision standards apply at all times away from the child care facility,
including during field trips, outdoor play, and when picking up or dropping
off children at designated locations, such as bus stops, school, or a
child’s home. For school-age children, personnel must know where the
children are and what they are doing at all times and capable of
responding to emergencies including when children are separated from
their group.
E. A program is responsible for the supervision of a child until an authorized
individual retrieves the child from the program. A child shall not be
released to any person other than the person(s) authorized or in the
manner authorized in writing by the custodial parent or legal guardians.
All individuals authorized to pick up a child must be identified in writing
prior to release by the custodial parent or legal guardian to the program,
and the program must verify the individual picking up the child is
authorized by using a picture form of identification. Each child transported
must be dropped at the designated location as agreed upon by the
provider and the custodial parent/legal guardian and released to an
authorized individual.
H. Children must receive supervision and care in accordance with their age
and required needs and be accounted for at all times while bathing or
toileting.
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6. In accordance with Rule 65C-22.010(2)(d)1, F.A.C. (2017), the Department hereby
imposes a fine of five hundred dollars ($500) for the Class I violation described
above.
If you do not wish to contest the findings of this administrative complaint, payment of
the fine amount may be made directly to the Florida Department of Children and Families,
Child Care Regulation (Attention: Mary Beth Wehnes), 9393 N. Florida Ave., Suite 500,
Tampa, FL 33612.
RIGHT TO ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING
IF YOU BELIEVE THE PROPOSED ACTION DESCRIBED IN THIS ADMINISTRATIVE
COMPLAINT IS INERROR, YOU MAY REQUEST AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENCLOSED “NOTIFICATION OF RIGHTS UNDER
CHAPTER 120, FLORIDA STATUTES”
Certificate of Service
| HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing has been
furnished by certified mail, return receipt to Pathways to Learning and Michell D. Crockett,
suey agent, at 1300 Manatee Avenue E, Bradenton, FL 34208, this fo" day of
, 2018.
\
Mou Poe wert
Mary Beth Wehnes, CPM
Regional Safety Program Manager
CC: Lisa Ajo, DCF Legal Counsel
Aniko Roche, Family Services Counselor
Maritza Gonzalez, Family Services Counselor Supervisor
Enclosure :
NOTIFICATION OF RIGHTS UNDER CHAPTER 120, FLORIDA STATUTES
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NOTIFICATION OF RIGHTS UNDER CHAPTER 120, FLORIDA STATUTES
IF YOU BELIEVE THE DEPARTMENT’S DECISION IS IN ERROR, YOU MAY
REQUEST AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING UNDER SECTIONS 120.569 AND 120.57,
FLORIDA STATUTES, TO CONTEST THE DECISION. YOUR REQUEST FOR AN
ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE DEPARTMENT BY 5:00,
P.M., NO LATER THAN 21 CALENDAR DAYS AFTER YOU RECEIVED NOTICE OF
THE DEPARTMENT’S DECISION.
You must submit your request for an administrative hearing to the Department at the
following addresses:
Agency Clerk
Department of Children and Families
1317 Winewood Blvd, Bldg. 2, Rm. 204
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0700
IF YOUR REQUEST FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING IS NOT RECEIVED BY THE
DEPARTMENT BY THE ABOVE DEADLINE, YOU WILL HAVE WAIVED YOUR RIGHTS
TO A HEARING AND THE DEPARTMENT’S PROPOSED ACTION WILL BE FINAL.
If you disagree with the facts stated in the Department's decision, you may request a
formal administrative hearing under section 120.57(1), Florida Statutes. At a formal
hearing, you may present evidence and arguments on all issues involved, and question
the witnesses called by the Department.
If you do not disagree with the facts stated in the notice, you may request an informal
administrative hearing under section 120.57(2), Florida Statutes. At an informal hearing,
you may present your argument or a written statement for consideration by the
Department.
Whether you are requesting a formal hearing or an informal hearing, your request for an
administrative hearing must meet the requirements of Rule 28-106.201(2) or Rule 28-
106.301(2), Florida Administrative Code. In either event, your request for an
administrative hearing must:
1. Include a copy of the decision received from the Department;
2. Be prepared legibly on 8% by 11-inch white paper, and
3. Include all the following items:
(a) The Department's file or identification number, if known;
(b) Your name, address, email address (if any) and telephone number and
the name, address, email address (if any) and telephone number of your
representative, if any;
(c) An explanation of how your rights or interests will be affected by the action
described in the notice of the Department's decision;
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(d) A statement of when and how you received notice of the Department’s
decision;
(e) A statement of all facts in the notice of the Department's decision with
which you disagree. If you do not disagree with any of the facts stated in
the notice, you must say so;
(f) A statement of the facts you believe justify a change in the Department's
decision;
(g) A statement of the specific rules or statutes you believe require reversal or
modification of the Department's proposed action;
(h) A statement explaining how the facts you have alleged above relate to the
specific rules or statutes you have identified above; and
(i) A statement of the relief you want, including precisely the action you want
the Department to take.
Section 120.569(2)(c), Florida Statutes, requires the Department to dismiss your request
for hearing if it is not in substantial compliance with the requirements above.
Mediation as described in section 120.573, Florida Statutes, is not available. However,
other forms of mediation or informal dispute resolution may be available after a timely
request for an administrative hearing has been received, if agreed to by all parties, and
on such terms as agreed to by all parties. The right to an administrative proceeding is
not affected when mediation or informal dispute resolution does not result in a settlement.
Docket for Case No: 18-005272
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Jan. 30, 2019 |
Transmittal letter from Claudia Llado forwarding Respondent's Exhibit to Respondent.
|
Jan. 30, 2019 |
Transmittal letter from Claudia Llado forwarding the Petitioner's Exhibits to Petitioner.
|
Jan. 23, 2019 |
Order Closing File and Relinquishing Jurisdiction. CASE CLOSED.
|
Jan. 22, 2019 |
CASE STATUS: Hearing Held. |
Jan. 22, 2019 |
Notice of Filing (Return of Service) filed.
|
Jan. 14, 2019 |
Joint Pre-hearing Stipulation filed.
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Jan. 14, 2019 |
Petitioner's Proposed Exhibits filed (exhibits not available for viewing). |
Jan. 11, 2019 |
Notice of Issuance of Subpoena filed.
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Jan. 09, 2019 |
Notice of Appearance (Peter Mackey) filed.
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Dec. 06, 2018 |
Order Rescheduling Hearing (hearing set for January 22, 2019; 9:00 a.m.; Bradenton, FL).
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Dec. 06, 2018 |
Joint Notice of Availability for Final Hearing filed.
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Dec. 05, 2018 |
Order Granting Extension of Time.
|
Dec. 03, 2018 |
Notice of Telephonic Status Conference (status conference set for December 4, 2018; 3:30 p.m.).
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Nov. 30, 2018 |
Case Status Update and Request for Additional Time filed.
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Nov. 14, 2018 |
Order Granting Continuance (parties to advise status by November 30, 2018).
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Nov. 13, 2018 |
Pathways to Learning, LLC's Amended Motion for Continuance filed.
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Nov. 13, 2018 |
Order Denying Continuance of Final Hearing.
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Nov. 09, 2018 |
Pathways to Learning, LLC's Motion for Continuance filed.
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Oct. 17, 2018 |
Notice of Taking Deposition of Michele Crockett filed.
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Oct. 15, 2018 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
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Oct. 15, 2018 |
Notice of Hearing (hearing set for December 12, 2018; 9:00 a.m.; Bradenton, FL).
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Oct. 15, 2018 |
Joint Response to Initial Order filed.
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Oct. 04, 2018 |
Initial Order.
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Oct. 03, 2018 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
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Oct. 03, 2018 |
Request for Administrative Hearing filed.
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Oct. 03, 2018 |
Notice (of Agency referral) filed.
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