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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 197750040
Report Date: 10/31/2024
Date Signed: 10/31/2024 10:14:47 AM

Unsubstantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 39115 TRADE CENTER DR STE. 201
PALMDALE, CA 93551
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
08/14/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Justeene Tamayo
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 12-CC-20240814143922
FACILITY NAME:PSD ECE DISTRICT OFFICE CENTERFACILITY NUMBER:
197750040
ADMINISTRATOR:DR. MELANIE CULVERFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:975 EAST AVENUE P-8TELEPHONE:
(661) 266-7864
CITY:PALMDALESTATE: CAZIP CODE:
93550
CAPACITY:15CENSUS: 13DATE:
10/31/2024
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
08:50 AM
MET WITH:Joe Vega, School Readiness Coordinator and Melanie Culver, Administrator TIME COMPLETED:
10:30 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Allegation:
Personal Rights- Staff choked/kicked child
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 10/29/2024, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Justeene Tamayo met with Joe Vega, School Readiness Coordinator and Melanie Culver, Adminstrator for the purpose of concluding the investigation concerning the above complaint allegation. LPA toured the facility and observed 13 preschool children in care, along with 3 teachers.

The investigation consisted of interviews with staff, children, and other relevant parties, as well as a review of supporting documentation. It was alleged that Teacher #1 choked or kicked child #1. However, interviews revealed that Teachers #2-4, who were present in the same room as Teacher #1, did not witness any such incident. Each staff member provided statements denying any abuse towards child #1.
Children #2, #3, and #5 were also interviewed and reported that they had no issues with their teachers and had never seen Teacher #1 physically interact with child #1 inappropriately.

Please see LIC9099-C for Continuation Page.
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Mariela Ramon
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Justeene Tamayo
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/31/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/31/2024
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 1 of 2
Control Number 12-CC-20240814143922
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 39115 TRADE CENTER DR STE. 201
PALMDALE, CA 93551
FACILITY NAME: PSD ECE DISTRICT OFFICE CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 197750040
VISIT DATE: 10/31/2024
NARRATIVE
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This complaint was further investigated by Sheriff John Dempsey from the Sheriff’s Special Victims Bureau. Sheriff Dempsey and LPA Tamayo reviewed a video recording in which child #1 alleged that a teacher had choked them; however, child #1 did not specify a time frame for the incident or identify a teacher as a suspect.

Parents #1 and #2 were unable to provide additional information regarding the timing of the alleged incident or any evidence suggesting that Teacher #1 had assaulted child #1.

A forensic interview conducted at the Inner Circle Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) also revealed that child #1 could not provide accurate details about the incident or identify the teacher involved. Additionally, medical records showed no evidence of physical abuse.

Based on the information revealed, there is not enough evidence or witnesses to corroborate the above allegation, therefore, the allegation is rendered Unsubstantiated.

A finding that the complaint is Unsubstantiated means that although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of the evidence to prove that the alleged allegation occurred.

An exit interview was conducted, and a copy of this report was read and provided to the School Readiness Coordinator on this date, along with a copy of his appeal rights and Notice of Site Visit.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Mariela Ramon
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Justeene Tamayo
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/31/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/31/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 2