197413734-4-15-2025-12-CC-LKIG-DG3QXF-20250425123326

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 197413734
Report Date: 04/15/2025
Date Signed: 04/15/2025 04:40:33 PM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
PALMDALE CHILD CARE, 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
01/29/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Joselito DelMundo

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 12-CC-20250129132544

FACILITY NAME:	BALLENA FAMILY CHILD CARE		FACILITY NUMBER:	197413734
ADMINISTRATOR:	BALLENA, CYNTHIA		FACILITY TYPE:	810
ADDRESS:			TELEPHONE:	(661) 729-5917
CITY:	LANCASTER	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	93535
CAPACITY:	14	CENSUS: 6	DATE:	04/15/2025
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	12:30 PM
MET WITH:	Licensee Cynthia Ballena		TIME COMPLETED:	04:21 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Allegation 1: Licensee handles day-care children in a rough manner.
Allegation 2: Licensee force fed children in care.
Allegation 3: Licensee does not separate children showing signs of illness from other

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On April 15, at 12:30 P.M. Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Joselito L. Del Mundo conducted a follow up complaint inspection to Ballena Family Child Care. The purpose of the inspection was to deliver the findings for the above complaint allegations. Upon arrival, LPA met with licensee, Cynthia Ballena, and was granted access to the facility. LPA observed six children present in the facility with the licensee and two assistants providing care and supervision. The investigation consisted of interviews with the licensee, assistant, children, parents, and a review of relevant documents. During this visit, LPA conducted an interview with children, staff, parents, and the provider.

During the investigation, facility roster and attendance sheets were provided by the licensee. Based on the confidential interviews with relevant parties, supporting documents, and LPA observation, there were not enough evidence to validate the allegations: 1) licensee handles day care children in a rough manner, 2) licensee force fed children in care, and 3) licensee does not separate children showing signs of illness from other children in care.

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Lady King
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Joselito DelMundo
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 04/15/2025

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/15/2025

This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 12-CC-20250129132544

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
PALMDALE CHILD CARE, 39115 TRADE CENTER DR STE. 201
PALMDALE, CA 93551

FACILITY NAME: BALLENA FAMILY CHILD CARE	FACILITY NUMBER: 197413734
	VISIT DATE: 04/15/2025

NARRATIVE

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Pg 2

During the LPA’s initial visit at the facility, LPA observed three children (C#1, C#3, and C#4) are being supervised by the two staff. LPA did not observe inappropriate actions from the licensee or staff where children are being handled in a rough manner. Also, during snack time, children (C#1, C#3, and C#4), are seated and were given food at the table. Children were eating their food without any assistance from the licensee or staff.

Confidential interviews revealed conflicting statements from relevant parties. Some confidential interviews states that children are being force fed if the children do not like the food being served. Other interviews revealed children are not being forced to eat their food, instead, children stay seated on their chairs until all children were done eating.

Confidential interviews also reported that when a child has symptoms of illness, the child is not allowed to come to the day care, and if a child has symptoms of illness while in care, parents are called to pick up their child. File review revealed that three children’s (C#5, C#7, and C#8) temperature were monitored on five separate occasions (12/18/2024, 01/14/2025, 01/21/2025, 01/22/2025, and 01/27/2025) while in care. However, there were no evidence to prove that children with symptoms of illness were not isolated from other children.

Interviews with relevant parties revealed that the licensee put earrings on the children with the parent’s consent. Also, the licensee admitted that she gave the earrings as a gift to the children in care. The licensee was reminded that if there are additional information provided with regard to the allegations, the complaint can be reopened for possible investigations.

Although the allegations may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of the evidence to prove the allegations, therefore the above allegations are deemed Unsubstantiated. No deficiencies were cited during this inspection.

An exit interview was conducted, and a copy of this report was provided to licensee, Cynthia Ballena along with Notice of Site Visit and Appeal Rights.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Lady King
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Joselito DelMundo
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 04/15/2025

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/15/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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