325408617-7-7-2026-13-CC-MAVS-DVYVRX-20260714164037

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 325408617
Report Date: 07/07/2026
Date Signed: 07/07/2026 11:17:45 AM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CHICO CC RO, 520 COHASSET RD., SUITE 170
CHICO, CA 95926

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
04/03/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Sydney Sims

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 13-CC-20260403094104

FACILITY NAME:	HERMO, KRISTEN FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME		FACILITY NUMBER:	325408617
ADMINISTRATOR:	HERMO, KRISTEN		FACILITY TYPE:	810
ADDRESS:			TELEPHONE:	(530) 375-0151
CITY:	CHESTER	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	96020
CAPACITY:	14	CENSUS: 0	DATE:	07/07/2026
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	09:26 AM
MET WITH:	Kristen Hermo - Licensee		TIME COMPLETED:	11:26 AM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Licensee allowed daycare child to access the off-limit areas of the home.

Licensee spanks daycare child.

Licensee did not prevent a child from causing harm to a daycare
child.

Licensee does not properly transport the daycare children.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 07/07/26 at 09:26am, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Sydney Sims conducted an unannounced complaint inspection, and met with licensee Kristen Hermo. It was alleged that Licensee allowed daycare child to access the off-limit areas of the home, Licensee spanks daycare child, Licensee did not prevent a child from causing harm to a daycare child, Licensee does not properly transport the daycare children. Specifically that the Licensee brought child C3 into the upstairs area of the facility which is off limits, that the Licensee spanked child C3 while in the off limits area upstairs, that the Licensee made child C1 spank child C3, and that when the Licensee transports children in her car the Licensee does not use proper car seats for the children.
Licensee was interviewed on 04/10/26 at 10:03am and denied all the allegations stating that the children do not have access to the upstairs and bedroom #1 and that they are made inaccessible by lock and baby gate and that kids do not go in those spaces. Licensee stated that the Licensee has never spanked a child and only uses redirection and time out as discipline. Licensee stated that the Licensee has not allowed or encouraged harm to a day care child. Licensee stated that anytime the Licensee transports day care children they are properly secured and that the Licensee has the proper number of kids in the car.

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Megan Aviles
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Sydney Sims
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 07/07/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/07/2026

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 13-CC-20260403094104

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CHICO CC RO, 520 COHASSET RD., SUITE 170
CHICO, CA 95926

FACILITY NAME: HERMO, KRISTEN FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME	FACILITY NUMBER: 325408617
	VISIT DATE: 07/07/2026

NARRATIVE

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Five parents (P1- P5) were interviewed on 06/08/26, 06/22/26 07/06/26 and P1 had knowledge of the allegations stating that the Licensee took child C3 to the off-limits area upstairs while in care and that while upstairs the Licensee spanked child C3 and the Licensee had child C1 spank child C3 as well. P1 stated that P1 has observed the Licensee transport children in the car with the incorrect size car seats. P2 – P5 had no knowledge of the allegations stating that they had never observed the Licensee allow a day care child to access the off-limits areas upstairs and that there is always a gate at the bottom of the stairs to prevent access to the upstairs. P2 – P5 stated that they had never observed or heard of the Licensee spanking children in care, and that the Licensee only uses time out as a form of discipline. P2 - P5 stated that they had not seen or heard of the Licensee asking a child to spank another child in care. P2, P3, and P5 stated that they have observed the Licensee transport children in the car and that the Licensee always has the children in the correct car seats. P4 stated that P4 has not observed the Licensee transport kids in care.

One witness (W1) was interviewed on 07/02/26 and had no knowledge of the allegations stating that W1 is present at the facility frequently and has not observed the Licensee allow or take children upstairs into the off limits area and that the stairs are always secured with a baby gate at the base of the stairs. W1 stated that the Licensee does not spank children in care and only uses time out and warnings as a form of discipline. W1 had no knowledge of the Licensee asking child C1 to spank child C3. W1 has no knowledge if the Licensee properly transports children in care as W1 has not observed the Licensee transport children.

Two children (C1 – C2) were interviewed on 04/10/26 and had no knowledge of the allegations, C1 – C2 stated that the Licensee does not allow the day care children to go upstairs and that there is a gate at the stairs. C1 stated that C1 has never been upstairs with child C3. C1 – C2 stated that the Licensee does not spank children in care. C2 had no knowledge of C1 spanking C3. C1 denied the allegation stating that C1 has never spanked child C3. C1 -C2 stated that when the Licensee has day care children in the care all of the children have their own car seats if needed or their own seat and are properly transported.

On 04/10/26, 06/01/26, and 07/07/26 the facility was toured and LPA Sims observed that the off-limits areas were secured and that no children were in the off-limits areas.

On 06/08/26, LPA Sims received documentation that included statements and information supporting the reported allegations.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Megan Aviles
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Sydney Sims
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 07/07/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/07/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 4 of 5

Control Number 13-CC-20260403094104

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CHICO CC RO, 520 COHASSET RD., SUITE 170
CHICO, CA 95926

FACILITY NAME: HERMO, KRISTEN FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME	FACILITY NUMBER: 325408617
	VISIT DATE: 07/07/2026

NARRATIVE

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During the investigation LPA Sims reviewed documentation, conducted interviews with children, parents, witness and toured the facility. The evidence did not support the allegations.

Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of the evidence to prove that the alleged violation occurred, and the findings are unsubstantiated.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the licensee Kristen Hermo. Appeal rights were provided.

A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Megan Aviles
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Sydney Sims
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 07/07/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/07/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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