198015717-7-18-2025-33-CC-ACHO-DK9UFH-20250805153246

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198015717
Report Date: 07/18/2025
Date Signed: 07/18/2025 02:34:56 PM

Substantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK CC RO, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
06/27/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Veronica Martinez-Garza

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 33-CC-20250627095557

FACILITY NAME:	HERNANDEZ FAMILY CHILD CARE		FACILITY NUMBER:	198015717
ADMINISTRATOR:	HERNANDEZ, AMELIA		FACILITY TYPE:	810
ADDRESS:			TELEPHONE:	(323) 266-8082
CITY:	LOS ANGELES	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	90022
CAPACITY:	14	CENSUS: 10	DATE:	07/18/2025
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	12:30 PM
MET WITH:	Amelia Hernandez		TIME COMPLETED:	02:50 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Licensee pulled child's hair out while inspecting for lice

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 07/18/25 at 12:30 p.m., Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Veronica Martinez Garza conducted an unannounced complaint investigation to deliver findings to the above allegation. LPA met with licensee Amelia Hernandez, who guided LPA on a tour of the facility. LPA observed 10 children in care.

According to the Reporting Party (RP), “Licensee pulled child's hair out while inspecting for lice.”

During the course of the investigation, LPA interviewed Staff 1 (S1) thru 2. LPA also obtained a copy of the children’s roster, unusual incident report, S1s written statement, pictures of C1s hair placed in a zip loc bag, and the facility illness and withdrawal policy.

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Substantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Ana Chico
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Veronica Martinez-Garza
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 07/18/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/18/2025

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 33-CC-20250627095557

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK CC RO, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: HERNANDEZ FAMILY CHILD CARE	FACILITY NUMBER: 198015717
	VISIT DATE: 07/18/2025

NARRATIVE

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Allegation regarding-Licensee pulled child’s hair out while inspecting for lice. According to the RP, the parent of C1 was handed a plastic bag with the child’s hair inside. Per RP, the child’s hair was pulled out by S1 when they were inspecting C1s hair for lice. RP also stated that S1 notified the parent that C1 had lice and couldn’t return to the facility until the child received a clearance from the doctor; however, RP was informed that the child’s doctor did not observe any lice on the child’s hair. On 06/24, S1 contacted the Monterey Park Regional Office to report that C1 had nits and live lice on their hair. S1 also reported that the parent of C1 was notified, placed lice and nits in a bag to show the parent upon arrival. S1 then contacted LPA Martinez Garza to provide additional information.

According to the S1, approximately two weeks ago (prior to 06/23) C1 was seen scratching their head and asked the parent to check C1s head for any lice. Parent stated that due to being African-American, it was impossible for C1 to have lice. On 06/23 S2 noticed C1 was scratching their head while washing their hands in the bathroom. As S2 approached C1, S2 observed 1 lice but couldn’t remove the lice due to C1s hairstyle. S2 then immediately notified S1 who separated C1 from other children. S1 waited for C1 to finish eating their snack and took C1 to the backyard to inspect the child’s hair. S1 stated that the children present were not aware of what was going on and when C1 was taken to the backyard, the rest of the children remained indoors with S2. S1 sat with C1 on a child sized bench and removed C1s scrunchies. S1 began to inspect the child’s hair and noticed nits on the hair. S1 then removed a strand of C1s hair to provide proof to the child’s parent that C1 had lice/nits and placed them in a bag. S1 also took a picture of the zip loc bag that contained the live nits on C1s hair. Upon arrival, parent of C1 was notified that the child had lice/nits and provided the zip loc bag to the parent. Per S1, parent stated that it wasn’t C1s hair and that it could be S1s hair instead. Parent also stated that it wasn’t lice but rather dandruff on C1s hair. S1 recalled seeing parent of C1 pull the child’s hair to proof that it wasn’t nits but instead it was dandruff. Parent of C1 gave S1 a hair strand to proof that it wasn't nits. S1 grabbed the hair strand and popped the nit in front of the parent. Per S1, once the nit was popped a liquid was observed. Parent replied that it wasn't lice since it wasn't moving. S1 acknowledges that C1 also had dandruff; however, they also had nits. S1 then informed the parent that the child couldn’t return to the facility until they obtained a clearance letter from the doctor. S1 also revealed that the parent was not called after inspecting and removing the child’s hair since it was closer to pick up; however, an ouch report was provided to the parent who declined signature.

On 06/24, C1 returned to the facility and parent stated that the doctor did not provide a note because it was a family doctor. S1 explained that the child couldn’t stay at the facility until the doctor’s note was provided. Parent left with C1 and when S1 replied see you tomorrow, parent replied “I think never more.”
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SUPERVISORS NAME: Ana Chico
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Veronica Martinez-Garza
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 07/18/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/18/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 33-CC-20250627095557

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK CC RO, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: HERNANDEZ FAMILY CHILD CARE	FACILITY NUMBER: 198015717
	VISIT DATE: 07/18/2025

NARRATIVE

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Interviews conducted with S1 and S2 revealed that their statements are similar and confirmed that the hair removed from C1 was their natural hair and that it was removed with scissors.

Per S1, removing the child’s hair with scissors was the only way they could proof to the parent that the child had lice or nits. Staff deny that C1 was in any pain or cried during the inspection or removal of hair. S1 reiterated that they were gentle and did not have a malice intent when removing the child’s hair with scissors.

LPA obtained a copy of the picture taken of the zip loc bag and observed a few hair strands; however, LPA couldn’t determine if there were any nits since the picture is not clear. LPA also reviewed the facility illness and withdrawal policy; however, there is nothing specific regarding lice infestation. LPA observed that the illness policy states that the provider will send children home if it is believed that the child’s condition poses a threat to the health and safety of the child, children, or staff in the facility. LPA advised S1 that perhaps a video would’ve helped instead of removing the child’s hair.

Based on interviews, records reviewed, and staff acknowledgement, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED. California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 1, the following deficiencies are being cited (see attached 9099D).

A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with licensee Amelia Hernandez.

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SUPERVISORS NAME: Ana Chico
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Veronica Martinez-Garza
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 07/18/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/18/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 33-CC-20250627095557

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK CC RO, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: HERNANDEZ FAMILY CHILD CARE	FACILITY NUMBER: 198015717
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:	VISIT DATE: 07/18/2025

Deficiency Type POC Due Date / Section Number	DEFICIENCIES		PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B 08/18/2025 Section Cited CCR 102423(a)(2)	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	Personal Rights (a) Each child receiving services from a family child care home shall have certain rights...regardless of consent or authorization from the child's authorized representative. These rights include, but are not limited to, the following: (2) To receive safe, healthful, and comfortable accommodations, furnishings, and equipment. This requirement is not met as evidenced by:	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	Per licensee, she will not cut children's hair and will opt to take a picture or video of children with lice moving forward. Licensee also stated that she conducted research with the Resource and Referral agency as well as with Department of Public Health regarding lice infestation and has updated the parent handbook that will detail how lice infestation will be handled.
	8 9 10 11 12 13 14	Staff 1 (S1) revealed that they removed child 1 (C1) natural hair with scissors that contained live nits.	8 9 10 11 12 13 14	Per licensee, all parents will receive an updated parent handbook along with the Department of Public Health Division of Communicable Disease Control regarding lice, how to recognize nits/lice, and treatment. LPA took pictures of the parent handbook and DPH flyer.
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Failure to correct the cited deficiency(ies), on or before the Plan of Correction (POC) due date, may result in a civil penalty assessment.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Ana Chico
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Veronica Martinez-Garza
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 07/18/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/18/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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