An investigation was conducted by the Pomona Police Department, the California Department of Social Services Investigations Branch, as well as LPA Bell. Throughout the course of the investigation, interviews were conducted with licensee, two staff, one adult, six parents and five children; and documentation in the form of the Child Care Facility Roster, an Unusual Incident Report, six pages of handwritten notes, three text messages, a questionnaire dated 09/02/20, and a series of messages sent through Facebook were obtained; the files and the Child Care Attendance Records for Child #1 and Child #2 were reviewed; and a Ring video was viewed.

-Pertaining to the allegations that “Provider handles day care child in an inappropriate manner” and that “Day care child is exposed to inappropriate behavior while in care”:

Based on interviews conducted, no disclosures or corroborating statements were made.

-Pertaining to the allegation that “Day care child was locked in room”:

This allegation refers to an allegation that Child #1 was allegedly sometimes locked in a room by themselves at the daycare while other children were playing outside.

As no context was provided as to whether Child #1 was locked in a room as a form of punishment or simply to separate them from the other daycare children, LPA inquired as to licensee’s discipline policy as well as whether any children were ever permitted in the bedrooms, which are considered “off-limits” areas.

Of the six parents interviewed regarding the discipline policy, three were not aware of what licensee’s discipline policy is, one mentioned re-direction, one mentioned separating children if they’re getting physical with each other and one mentioned verbally reprimanding them; all three mentioned that that licensee will inform them if their child was misbehaving or not listening. When asked whether they knew where in the residence care was provided by licensee, five of the six parents were aware of the daycare room and the “playground” outside (i.e. licensee’s yard).

Of the four children interviewed, three corroborated that when the children come out to play, all of the children come out together. If a child misbehaves, they are sent back inside for a few minutes before they are permitted to come out again. When asked whether licensee is outside when the children are outside, two children stated yes, one child stated that the licensee might run an errand but that an adult is always present. When asked whether they had ever been inside the bedrooms, two of the children stated no while one child said yes, that snacks used to be kept in a bedroom and that the licensee and several children would go back together to pick out snacks, but that now, the snacks are kept in a room off of the daycare room.

As no disclosures or corroborating statements were made that any children were ever kept inside with licensee while other children were outside playing or that any child was ever left alone or locked in a bedroom, the allegation that “Day care child was locked in room ” has been determined to be Unsubstantiated.

This agency has investigated the complaint alleging that “Day care child was locked in room” and that there was a violation of Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 1, Article 6, Section 102423 Personal Rights. Based upon the evidence as presented above, the allegation has been determined to be

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

No deficiencies are being cited for the allegations listed above.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Licensee Norma Perez.