304371703-4-24-2026-06-CC-MMAE-DUWMKC-20260610094028

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 304371703
Report Date: 04/24/2026
Date Signed: 04/24/2026 10:29:49 AM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE COUNTY CC RO, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
03/12/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Anna Francesca Chan

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 06-CC-20260312155356

FACILITY NAME:	HILLSBOROUGH PRIVATE SCHOOL		FACILITY NUMBER:	304371703
ADMINISTRATOR:	CARRIE MERCADO		FACILITY TYPE:	860
ADDRESS:	191 SOUTH OLD SPRINGS ROAD		TELEPHONE:	(714) 998-6031
CITY:	ANAHEIM	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	92808
CAPACITY:	212	CENSUS: 54	DATE:	04/24/2026
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	09:05 AM
MET WITH:	Director Carrie Mercado		TIME COMPLETED:	10:35 AM

ALLEGATION(S):

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(1) Staff were not supervising sleeping infants
(2) Staff exposed infants to a hazardous level of noise
(3) Staff medicated day care infants without parents' permission

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 4/24/2026, at 9:05am Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs), Anna Chan and Madeline Do, conducted a follow up investigation to deliver findings regarding the above complaint allegations which was initiated on 03/17/26. LPAs met Director Carrie Mercado. Overall census observed was 54 children and 8 staff (including 1 infant, 3 toddler and 50 preschool).

A review of the Facility Personnel Report Summary shows all facility staff or individuals who require caregiver background checks have received a criminal record clearance and a child abuse index clearance or an exemption clearance.

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Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Martha Malane
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Anna Francesca Chan
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 04/24/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/24/2026

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 06-CC-20260312155356

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE COUNTY CC RO, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868

FACILITY NAME: HILLSBOROUGH PRIVATE SCHOOL	FACILITY NUMBER: 304371703
	VISIT DATE: 04/24/2026

NARRATIVE

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The Department received a Complaint on 3/12/2026 alleging:
(1) Staff were not supervising sleeping infants
(2) Staff exposed infants to a hazardous level of noise
(3) Staff medicated day care infants without parents' permission

During the investigation, LPA interviewed 3 staff members and the director, and 3 parents. Reviewed Documents obtained: 15-minute sleep log dated March 2-12, 2026, facility video footages and Police Report dated March 12, 2026.

Regarding allegation (1) Staff were not supervising sleeping infants

Reporting Party (RP) stated the facility is not physically looking at the infants during nap time.

LPA interviewed 3 staff. Staff 1 (S1) stated they always monitor napping infants. Staff 2 (S2) stated they go to each crib or cot to check napping infants and check if they are sleeping in their backs. Staff 3 (S3) stated they check the infants’ breathing and see if they are comfortable.

Regarding allegation (2) Staff exposed infants to a hazardous level of noise

RP stated the white noise in the classroom is extremely loud.

LPA interviewed staff. 3 Staff stated the white noise in the classroom helps infants go to sleep and never had issues with the sound and helps children sleep better.

The facility uses Lectrofan sound machine in the infant room to help children sleep.

LPA observed the sound machine being set to a volume which can help children with nap.

Regarding allegation (3) Staff medicated day care infants without parents' permission

RP thinks the staff are medicating Child 1 (C1) to force them to sleep

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SUPERVISORS NAME: Martha Malane
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Anna Francesca Chan
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 04/24/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/24/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 06-CC-20260312155356

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE COUNTY CC RO, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868

FACILITY NAME: HILLSBOROUGH PRIVATE SCHOOL	FACILITY NUMBER: 304371703
	VISIT DATE: 04/24/2026

NARRATIVE

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LPA interviewed staff. 3 staff stated they do not administer medication to children and they have not witnessed any staff giving medication to children without consent of parents. S1 stated there are no medications in the classroom. S2 stated if it is life threatening situation, the office will administer medication. Director stated they only administer medication if it is life threatening like epinephrine. Director stated there are no infant medication in the facility.

LPA did not observed any medication for children in the office.

LPA reviewed several facility video footages dated March 12, 2026, LPA observed 2 infant staff supervising napping children.

LPA obtained and reviewed report from Anaheim Police Department (PD). Based on records reviewed report dated March 12, 2026, a child neglect/abuse report was taken by Anaheim PD. A narrative was taken from Reporting Party (RP) alleging the facility was not supervising and checking napping infants, the facility has given infant medication to take longer naps, and noise machine volume being too loud. Anaheim PD also visited the facility and interviewed staff and denied all allegations by RP. Anaheim PD contacted Senior Social Worker Damian and took the report as informational only and referred to the complaint to this Department. Anaheim PD took this complaint for documentation only and there was no indication that a crime had occurred.

No children’s interview was conducted due to infant children being non-verbal. LPA interviewed parents, and none of the parents interviewed disclosed any information that could support the allegations

Based on observations, interviews conducted and records reviewed, the preponderance of evidence standard has not been met. Although the allegations of (1) Staff were not supervising sleeping infants and (2) Staff exposed infants to a hazardous level of noise (3) Staff medicated day care infants without parents' permission may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations did or did not occur, therefore the allegations are UNSUBSTANTIATED.

Exit interview was conducted with Director Carrie Mercado. Report was reviewed and discussed. The Notice of Site Visit was posted and must remain posted for 30 consecutive days. Appeal Rights were provided.

Director refused to sign this report

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SUPERVISORS NAME: Martha Malane
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Anna Francesca Chan
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 04/24/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/24/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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