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DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES vs CAROUSEL EARLY LEARNING CENTER, INC., 18-005621 (2018)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Ocala, Florida Oct. 23, 2018 Number: 18-005621 Latest Update: Nov. 19, 2018
Florida Laws (1) 120.68
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DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES vs MY FIRST STEPS OF BRADENTON, INC., 18-005147 (2018)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Sarasota, Florida Sep. 26, 2018 Number: 18-005147 Latest Update: Oct. 03, 2019

The Issue The issue is whether Respondent committed a Class I violation and should have a $500.00 administrative fine imposed, for the reasons given in the Administrative Complaint dated August 23, 2018.1/

Findings Of Fact The Department is the state agency responsible for licensing and regulating child care facilities. Respondent holds license number C12MA0082 issued pursuant to chapter 402, Florida Statutes, and Florida Administrative Code Chapter 65C-22. It authorizes Respondent to operate a child care facility at 3815 26th Street West, Bradenton, Florida. The owner of the facility is Carina Piovera. First licensed in 1997, the facility provides child care for children ranging from the age of one to five. It employs five teachers and has a capacity of 35 children. Besides routine inspections by the Department every three months, for the last ten years, the facility has been inspected periodically by the Early Learning Coalition, which provides the facility with funding vouchers for families that cannot pay for full child care. Prior to this incident, Respondent never has been charged with a Class I violation. This class of violation is the most serious in nature and is one that could or does result in serious harm or death to a child. Fla. Admin. Code R. 65C-22.010(1)(e)1. Based on a complaint by a parent that Ms. Piovera used excessive discipline on her 18-month-old son, A.M., the Department conducted a two-hour complaint inspection on June 20, 2018. The inspection resulted in the issuance of an Administrative Complaint alleging that Ms. Piovera used "inappropriate discipline" on the child, in violation of section 2.8A. and F., Child Care Facility Handbook (Handbook), incorporated by reference in rule 65C-22.001(6). The first section requires generally that a child care facility adopt a "discipline policy" that is consistent with section 402.305(12), while the second provision enumerates discipline techniques that are prohibited. The "inappropriate discipline" is described in the Administrative Complaint as follows: On May 30, 2018, K. Alejandra-Pacheco, a child care personnel, worked on an art project with one of the children in her care, while the other children were climbing up and down the chairs and taking off their shoes. Ms. Alejandra-Pacheco stated that she is not allowed to discipline the children, only the facility director, Carina Piovera. Ms. Piovera came into the classroom and made the children sit down. A.M., a one-year old toddler, was one of the children in the classroom. In it, Ms. Piovera is seen roughly handling A.M. by grabbing him, aggressively wiping his nose, having intense body language when talking to the child, forcefully pushing the child's chair into position at the table, and then aggressively put his hands on the table. A.M. is visibly afraid and upset, crying throughout his interaction with Ms. Piovera, who appears to be intimidating to the child. This incident was recorded by the facility camera. The Department employee who conducted the inspection did not testify at the hearing. However, a Department witness who viewed a video of the incident alleges that Ms. Piovera "used excessive force during hygiene and behavior redirection," and this was "severe, humiliating, or frightening to the child." The alleged incident occurred in the facility's toddler room. Six children, ranging in age from one to two years old, were in the room, along with a teacher, Ms. Pacheco. A surveillance camera, reloaded every 24 hours, is installed in each classroom to monitor all activities. The video is erased every 30 days by the security company, Swann Communication (Swann). If parents wish to watch their children in real time or within the 24-hour window before the camera is reloaded, they can download an application (app) on their cell phone, view the toddler room, and even make copies of the video. Ms. Piovera stated that she is "very comfortable" with video cameras in each classroom because parents are entrusting their children to her care and want to see how they are being treated. Although the original surveillance video long since has been erased, A.M.'s mother recorded a video of the incident on her cell phone using an app provided by a third party and not Swann. The video has been accepted in evidence as Department Exhibit 2. The video is fairly clear, is a "little fast," and is the only known recordation of the incident still available. Ms. Piovera testified that she has watched it more than 20 times. The Department's allegations are based wholly on its interpretation of the cell phone video. The incident itself lasts less than a minute. A.M., then 18 months old, and not a one-year-old, as stated in the Administrative Complaint, frequently had allergies or nasal problems, which caused a runny nose or cough. His mother authorized the use of a nebulizer for inhaling medications, but it never was used at the facility. The morning of May 30, 2018, was no different, and A.M. came to the facility that day with a runny nose. Although the mother denied her son had allergies, his runny nose was brought to her attention when she brought the child in that morning. She replied that she had been giving him medicine but "nothing was working." Around 10:21 a.m., and not 11:00 a.m., as stated in the Administrative Complaint, Ms. Piovera entered the toddler room to assist Ms. Pacheco in redirecting the children to a new activity, i.e., to sing a song and do art work, after efforts by Ms. Pacheco to have the children sit down and keep their shoes on were unsuccessful. Redirection is considered a form of discipline by the Department, but Ms. Piovera considers moving to a new task a routine action in caring for toddlers. Just before Ms. Piovera entered the room, A.M. and two other children were standing in their chairs and climbing onto the table. When A.M. saw Ms. Piovera enter the room, he immediately sat down in the chair. Ms. Piovera placed him in an upright position, adjusted his pants, and observed that his nose needed to be wiped and he had taken one shoe off. His nose had crusted mucous and the discharge was green. The child was crying at this point. The mother acknowledged that A.M. does not like having his nose wiped. Ms. Piovera needed two swipes with a tissue to clean A.M.'s nose. His feet lifted slightly when his nose was wiped, but this was because A.M. was trying to avoid having his nose cleaned. Ms. Piovera also put his shoe back on. Although A.M. began crying when she first touched him, no unusual force or pressure was used, and there were no marks or bruises on the child. Within a few seconds after his nose was cleaned, A.M. became calm, stopped crying, and placed his head on the table. The class then continued with painting activities. A Department witness acknowledged that there was no hitting, spanking, shaking, slapping, or pushing. However, based on her viewing of the incident, she contends Ms. Piovera "kind of twisted his body," "pulled his arms when she first grabbed him to get him to sit down in his chair," "appeared [to be] squeezing his arms," and "felt" there was "forcing or restricting movement" when she turned the child around. There is less than clear and convincing evidence to support these allegations. Around 2:15 p.m., the child was picked up by his mother. Although the mother had viewed the incident on her cell phone as it happened, she did not say anything to Ms. Piovera at that time or contact the Department to discuss any concerns.3/ Notably, when the incident occurred, the mother was in a dispute with Ms. Piovera over an unpaid bill ($1,345.00), which Ms. Piovera says still is outstanding. The mother contends the bill has been paid, but Ms. Piovera says the dispute is headed to small claims court. The mother withdrew the child from the facility that day without giving any explanation to Ms. Piovera, and he never returned to the facility. On June 13, 2018, A.M.'s mother raised the May 30 incident with Ms. Piovera for the first time in a series of text messages. Around the same time, she posted the video in a message on her Facebook page. On June 20, 2018, or three weeks after the alleged violation, A.M.'s mother reported the incident to the Department. The mother admits she always was behind in her payments, and, on the day she filed her complaint, she was asked by Ms. Piovera to stop by the facility and pay the balance owed. The Department requested that a child protective investigator (CPI) from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office investigate whether child abuse occurred. A Department representative and the CPI conducted a joint inspection on June 20, 2018. On July 16, 2018, the CPI issued a finding that the charge was unsubstantiated. Resp. Ex. A. Notwithstanding the CPI's determination, the Department points out that this proceeding involves a violation of Handbook standards, while the CPI was looking for indicators of abuse, which are governed by chapter 39. Thus, it contends that the CPI could have a non-substantiated finding in regards to abuse, but Ms. Piovera still could be cited for a rule violation.

Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that the Department of Children and Families enter a final order dismissing the Administrative Complaint, with prejudice. DONE AND ENTERED this 8th day of May, 2019, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S D. R. ALEXANDER Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 8th day of May, 2019.

Florida Laws (5) 120.68402.301402.305402.310402.319 Florida Administrative Code (1) 65C-22.001 DOAH Case (1) 18-5147
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DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES vs A CHILD'S WORLD CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOL, INC., 19-002343 (2019)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Fort Pierce, Florida May 06, 2019 Number: 19-002343 Latest Update: Sep. 03, 2019

The Issue Whether Petitioner, Department of Children and Families ("Department"), established by clear and convincing evidence that Respondent, A Child's World Childcare and Preschool, Inc. ("A Child's World"), committed a Class I violation; and, if so, what penalty should be imposed.

Findings Of Fact The Department is responsible for the enforcement of sections 402.301 through 402.319, Florida Statutes, governing the regulation of child care facilities in Florida. Since 2003, A Child's World has operated continuously as a licensed child care facility at 703 Southwest 6th Street, Okeechobee, Florida. By all accounts, A Child's World is an exemplary facility. A Child's World is recognized as a Tier 4 provider by the Early Learning Coalition, the highest quality indicator in the community. Since 2004, A Child's World has been Gold Seal accredited. The incident giving rise to the Administrative Complaint occurred on January 29, 2019, at the child care facility. In August 2018, K.P. began attending A Child's World along with her older sister, A.P. On the date of the incident, K.P. was four years old and A.P. was five years old. During the morning of January 29, 2019, K.P., A.P., and other children were playing on the outdoor fenced-in playground at the facility. At that time, all of the children were supervised by a teacher. Subsequently, Angela Osterman, center director for A Child's World, called for A.P to be brought from the playground to the office for dismissal. When K.P. went to the office along with A.P., Ms. Osterman brought K.P. back to the playground and brought her directly to Deion Hayes, the teacher responsible for the group of children still on the playground. Subsequently, Ms. Osterman made an intercom announcement to all staff not to allow K.P. to accompany her sister when only the sister is called for dismissal. At 11:55 a.m., the children and teacher came inside the building from the playground. However, K.P. was left outside on the playground, alone and unsupervised because the teacher who was responsible for her confused his "head count" of the children when he brought the children back in the building.1/ K.P. was alone and unsupervised playing on the playground for approximately 40 minutes. At 12:37 p.m., K.P. exited the playground by climbing a five-feet high chain-link fence, which surrounds the perimeter of the playground. Almost immediately, facility staff saw K.P. standing close to the front of the building (approximately three and one-half to four feet from the building) in front of the infant room, playing with rocks in a flower bed, at which time K.P. was retrieved and brought back inside the building for an immediate evaluation. K.P. never left the facility premises. A video recording shows K.P. on the playground, alone; climbing over the fence at 12:37 p.m.; and being retrieved and brought back inside the building almost immediately thereafter. K.P. was not injured or in any distress following the incident. In fact, K.P. was smiling and in very good spirits following the incident. Under the particular facts of this case, the Department failed to prove by clear and convincing evidence that the inadequate supervision of K.P. posed an imminent threat which could or did result in her death or serious harm to her health, safety, or well-being. At 1:12 p.m., Malissa Morgan, the owner of the facility, self-reported the incident. In addition, K.P.'s mother was contacted and came to the school. K.P.'s mother kept K.P. in school for the remainder of the day and K.P. returned to the school the very next day. A Child's World fired Mr. Hayes on January 29, 2019. In addition, the next day, A Child's World conducted a full retraining of its staff and imposed stricter policies regarding supervision. K.P. continued attending A Child's World for months after the incident and returned after summer vacation. K.P. and A.P. are currently enrolled for this new school year.2/

Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that the Department of Children and Families enter a final order finding that A Child's World did not commit a Class I violation and dismissing the Administrative Complaint. DONE AND ENTERED this 3rd day of September, 2019, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S DARREN A. SCHWARTZ Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 3rd day of September, 2019.

Florida Laws (6) 120.569120.57120.68402.281402.301402.319 Florida Administrative Code (1) 65C-22.010 DOAH Case (1) 19-2343
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DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES vs YOUTH IN ACTION, INC., 06-002272 (2006)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Panama City, Florida Jun. 26, 2006 Number: 06-002272 Latest Update: Sep. 06, 2007

The Issue The issue in this case is whether Respondent's license to operate a child care facility should be revoked for alleged violations of Chapter 402, Florida Statutes (2002 through 2005),1 and Florida Administrative Code Chapter 65C-22 as set forth in the Administrative Complaint.

Findings Of Fact The Department is the state agency responsible for licensing and disciplining child care facilities. In carrying out its responsibilities, the Department conducts routine inspections of child care facilities, as well as inspections based on any complaints concerning a child care facility. Youth in Action is a child care facility located in Panama City, Florida. On February 5, 2003, Dia Green, who at that time was employed by the Department, conducted an inspection of Youth in Action based on a complaint. Ms. Green observed children in the two, three, and four-year-old age groups going to the restroom without direct supervision. A child at Youth in Action scratched his nose while going down the slide. Staff at Youth in Action did not document the incident on the day that it occurred. The facility did not have a staff person trained in first aid present during all operating hours. On March 10, 2003, Ms. Green made a routine inspection of Youth in Action. She found that Youth in Action had no documentation to show that monthly fire drills had been completed. On January 6, 2004, Ms. Green conducted a routine inspection of Youth in Action. Again, she found that Youth in Action lacked documentation to show that monthly fire drills had been completed. There were broken furniture and toys that needed to be removed from the facility. The immunization records for some of the children being cared for at the facility were incomplete. By letter dated January 22, 2004, the Department advised the owner/operator of Youth in Action, Sherlene McClary, that Youth in Action's license was being changed to provisional for failure to have a director meeting the credentialing requirements of Subsection 402.305(2)(f), Florida Statutes (2003). The provisional license was effective January 2, 2004, through June 1, 2004. On April 28, 2004, Lee Anne Case, a child licensing counselor employed by the Department, inspected Youth in Action. She found the staff-to-child ratio was not sufficient for different age groups. There was one staff person for seven children in the 0 to 12-month-old group. There was one staff person for seven children in the one-year-old group. There was one staff person for nine children in another one-year-old group. There was one staff person for 16 children in the two- year-old group. Ms. Case observed that, when the children were coming in from the playground, Youth in Action staff were leaving a child on the playground. The cook for the facility noticed the child and brought it to the attention of staff. Ms. Case found that areas in the facility were not in good repair. The carpet was dirty, had holes, and was fraying on the edges, creating tripping hazards. The thermostat was hanging by wires from the wall, and, when the thermostat was touched, the lights would flicker. There was a five-inch hole in the wall leading directly to the outside. The floor mats on which the children napped were torn. The bathrooms lacked supplies such as paper towels, soap, and toilet paper. During the April 28, 2004, inspection, Ms. Case found that diaper changing in the infant room was being done on a surface that was not impermeable. The container for soiled diapers was not covered and was accessible to children. Ms. Case also observed indoor and outdoor equipment which was not safe. Inside the facility, a changing table was broken, the power cord to a portable radio was accessible to children, and the air conditioning unit was not properly mounted, leaving sharp corners exposed. On the playground, there were exposed roots, which created a tripping hazard; broken toys were left in the area; and a picnic table was pushed up to the fence negating the required four-foot height requirement for the fence. Additionally, during the April 28, 2004, inspection, Ms. Case found that there was a lack of documentation to show that some of the staff members had completed the required 40-Hour Introductory Child Care Training. Personnel records for some of the staff were missing. The Department gave Youth in Action until May 5, 2004, to correct the deficiencies in the torn and dirty carpet, the thermostat, the hole in the wall, the debris and broken toys on the playground, the picnic table pushed against the fence, the air conditioning unit, the power cord to the radio, the personnel records, and the training requirements. On May 7, 2004, Youth in Action was re-inspected to determine if the deficiencies had been corrected. The carpet had not been repaired or cleaned. The hole in the wall had been filled loosely with paper towels. The playground still contained debris and leaves were piled next to the fence, eliminating the four-foot fence requirement. Sleeping mats were torn. The diaper changing in the infant room was being done on an impermeable surface. The deficiencies related to the changing table and the air conditioning unit had not been corrected. The deficiencies in the training documentation and the personnel records also remained uncorrected. Youth in Action was given until May 10, 2004, to make the necessary corrections. It was also noted during the May 7, 2004, inspection that the facility had a staff-to-children ratio deficiency. One staff person was observed with seven infants. One staff person was with seven children in the room for one-year-old children. In a second room with one and two-year-old children, there was one staff person for seven children. In one group of three and four-year-old children there were 17 children and one staff person. On May 13, 2004, another inspection was made of Youth in Action to determine if the deficiencies found on May 5, 2004, had been corrected. On May 13, 2004, sleeping mats in the one- year-old room were torn and needed to be replaced; the diaper changing pad was still torn; and the sharp corners of the air conditioner had not been eliminated. On August 11, 2004, Jason Kesterman, an employee of the Department, inspected Youth in Action. He found that the facility's plan of scheduled events was not posted in a place accessible to parents. Paper towels or air dryers were not available and within reach of the children in the bathroom next to the one-year-olds' room. Some of the staff of the facility had not completed the 40-hour mandatory training course within the allotted time frame, and some lacked the ten-hour training course. One of the staff did not have documentation of the initiation of training within the allotted time. The first aid kit for the facility lacked moist wipes and rubber gloves. On November 12, 2004, Ms. Case inspected Youth in Action. Numerous deficiencies were noted. There was an insufficient ratio of staff to children. There was one staff person for 16 children when there should have been two staff members. During nap time, there was insufficient staff accessible for the one-year-olds. Ms. Case observed a heavy- duty bathroom cleaner that was accessible to children. The floor mats for napping were torn. Staff did not clean and disinfect the diaper changing surface after each use. The pad on the diaper changing table was torn. The ground cover within the fall zone of the swings was not maintained. A rocking fish toy had sharp and jagged handles. One of the staff did not have documentation of one of the required ten-hour training courses. The director of the facility was not onsite a majority of the hours of operation. The first aid kit for the facility did not contain a thermometer, moistened wipes, and a guide on first aid. The facility did not have a staff member trained in current infant and child cardiopulmonary resuscitation present during all hours of operation. Diaper ointment was dispensed without written authorization from the parent. Some of the children did not have documentation of a student health examination. Personnel records for some of the staff were incomplete. On December 2, 2004, the Department issued an Administrative Complaint assessing a $500 fine against Youth in Action for failure to supervise a 19-month-old child who walked away from the facility. Youth in Action paid the $500 fine. On January 27, 2005, the Department notified Youth in Action that its license was being placed on provisional status effective December 1, 2004, for repeated violations of Florida Administrative Code Chapter 65C-22. The provisional license was to remain in effect until June 1, 2005. The Department advised the facility that inspections in addition to the routine inspections would be made of the facility to monitor the facility's compliance with Florida Statutes and the Florida Administrative Code. The facility was notified that "failure to immediately correct documented violations during your facility's inspections will leave the [D]epartment no alternative but to seek revocation of your license." Sherrie Gainer, an employee of the Department, inspected Youth in Action on January 19, 2005. She found cleaning supplies that were accessible to children as well as knives in a lower kitchen cabinet that was accessible to children. This deficiency was corrected at the time of the inspection. Ms. Gainer found that the director's file was not located at the facility. Some of the children's files were incomplete. Some of the personnel files for staff were incomplete. Youth in Action was given until January 31, 2005, to correct the deficiencies. On March 2, 2005, Ms. Gainer inspected Youth in Action. She found that there was a deficiency in the staff-to- child ratio. One group of children had seven three and four- year-old children and one one-year-old child. Such a mix required the supervision of two staff and only one staff was supervising. Ms. Gainer inspected Youth in Action on March 22, 2005. She found that the facility did not have complete records for some of the child care personnel. In response to a complaint, Ms. Gainer inspected Youth in Action on May 4, 2005. She found a staff-to-child ratio deficiency. There should have been two staff persons for eight children, but there was only one staff person supervising the children. She observed that there was an uncovered vent in the ceiling of the bathroom that allowed rain to enter the facility and that the toilet seats were loose. Ms. Gainer inspected Youth in Action on October 11, 2005. She found that the facility did not have documentation to show completion of a five-hour literacy training course by June 30, 2005, for staff hired on or before December 31, 2004. Additionally, records or copies of records were not being maintained at the facility for review by the Department. Files were being maintained across the street from the facility. On November 14, 2005, Ms. Gainer again inspected Youth in Action. A bathroom light did not work. Cleaning supplies in the kitchen were accessible to the children. Bedding did not fit against the crib, leaving a big gap. The bedding was dirty and brown in color. Several sheets found on the infant beds were badly stained. On November 29, 2005, Ms. Gainer re-inspected Youth in Action. Cleaning supplies in the kitchen were accessible to the children. A radio cord was hanging within reach of the children in the toddlers' room. Ms. Gainer inspected Youth in Action on December 20, 2005. There was a deficiency in the staff-to-children ratio. Two staff were needed for five children in the infant group, and only one staff person was supervising the five children. Ms. Gainer observed that the white lattice by the walkway was coming undone. On February 23, 2006, Ms. Gainer inspected Youth in Action and noted a staff-to-children ratio deficiency. There was one staff person supervising seven children, consisting of four one-year-olds and three two-year-olds. Two persons were required to supervise that particular age group. Based on a complaint, Ms Gainer made an inspection of Youth in Action on March 1, 2006, and she observed another staff-to-children ratio violation. One staff person was present with 18 children, three of whom were one-year-old and 15 of whom were two and three-year-old. Based on another complaint, Ms. Gainer made an inspection of Youth in Action on March 13, 2006. She found there were 13 children in one room watching television with one staff person. There were seven one-year-old children in with a group of two, three, and four-year-old children. On April 12, 2006, Ms. Gainer was advised by an employee of Youth in Action that the director of the facility was employed full time by the local school district and was not at the facility a majority of the operating hours. On April 13, 2006, Ms. Gainer inspected Youth in Action and found that the emergency plan was not posted. She observed a volunteer left alone supervising three one-year-old children in a classroom.

Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that a final order be entered finding that Youth in Action violated Section 402.305, Florida Statutes, and Florida Administrative Code Rules 65C-20.001, 65C-20.002, 65C-20.003, 65C-20.004, and 65C-20.006, and revoking it license to operate a child care facility. DONE AND ENTERED this 29th day of January, 2007, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S SUSAN B. HARRELL Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 29th day of January, 2007.

Florida Laws (7) 120.569120.57402.301402.302402.305402.310402.319
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES vs WESLEY CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER II, 95-003382 (1995)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Orlando, Florida Jul. 05, 1995 Number: 95-003382 Latest Update: Jun. 04, 1996

The Issue The Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services (HRS) seeks an administrative fine of $100 from the Wesley Child Development Center (Wesley) for violation of rules related to child supervision. The issues are whether the violation occurred and whether the fine is appropriate.

Findings Of Fact Wesley Child Development Center II is a child care facility licensed by the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services (HRS) for operation at 42 East Jackson Street, Orlando, Florida. It is a pre-school facility associated with First United Methodist Church. On January 31, 1995, some time between 3:50 and 4:50 p.m., there were approximately seventeen (17) children and four (4) staff on the playground. The playground is confined with a sturdy, four-foot chain link fence. A.N. was a two-year old toddler on the playground; his teacher was Pat Vetter. A.N. had been playing with buckets and cars by himself near the fence and Ms. Vetter could see him through a play tunnel where two other children were playing. After he played alone for about 10-15 minutes, Ms. Vetter needed to start picking up toys. A.N. gave her his bucket. She turned from him and had taken about five steps when she heard him cry out with an angry cry. She turned back and saw him sitting on the ground with his legs out in front; he had been standing at the fence looking out at the parking lot. Ms. Vetter picked up A.N. and he stopped the angry cry, but continued whimpering. She consoled and held him until his mother arrived. There were no visible signs of any injury: no bruises, blood, scratches or swelling. When his mother picked him up, A.N. did not want to walk. She took him to a restaurant for supper, but later took him to the doctor for an examination. X-rays detected a spiral fracture of the child's femur bone. The cause of the injury remains a mystery to the child care facility staff, who were appropriately dismayed, and to the HRS staff who thoroughly investigated the incident. Dr. Seibel, the child protection team physician, conjectured that A.N. must have attempted to climb the fence, hooked his foot and fell, twisting his leg. No one observed the fall. Ms. Vetter was responsible for A.N.'s supervision and that of three other children on the playground. She was near him and aware of what he was doing. The accident occurred in the brief instant that she turned away to put up some toys; she did not leave the playground. The direct supervision staff to child ratio at the facility and on the playground was better than the 1:6 or 1:11 required by HRS' rules. There is no evidence that the staff were gossiping or engaged in any non-supervisory activity. There has never been a problem with supervision at this facility before, according to the HRS inspectors. No one contests that the child was injured at the facility. Ms. Vetter believes that he could not have had the fracture when he came to school that morning. Although other children have climbed on the fence, she has never observed A.N. trying to climb it. Still, the fence is the only plausible explanation for the injury.

Recommendation Based on the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is RECOMMENDED: That the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services enter its final order dismissing the administrative complaint. RECOMMENDED in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida, this 27th day of October, 1995. MARY W. CLARK, Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 27th day of October, 1995. COPIES FURNISHED: James A. Sawyer, Jr., Esquire District Legal Counsel Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services Suite S-827 400 West Robinson Street Orlando, Florida 32801 Elizabeth Jenkins Director Wesley Child Development Center II 142 East Jackson Street Orlando, Florida 32801

Florida Laws (2) 120.57402.310
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