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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 343614049
Report Date: 02/04/2026
Date Signed: 05/13/2026 11:24:43 AM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO CC RO, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
09/29/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Fabian Schwartz
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 03-CC-20250929110324
FACILITY NAME:MERRYHILL SCHOOL-DANBROOKFACILITY NUMBER:
343614049
ADMINISTRATOR:ROBIN KEMMERFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:1901 DANBROOK DRTELEPHONE:
(916) 285-8656
CITY:SACRAMENTOSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
95835
CAPACITY:120CENSUS: 58DATE:
02/04/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
10:15 AM
MET WITH:Natasa ZivkovicTIME COMPLETED:
04:45 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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9
Staff left child in classroom unattended - Substantiated
Staff failed to report a lack of supervision incident - Substantiated
Staff is verbally abusive towards children - Substantiated
Staff use inappropriate forms of discipline - Substantiated
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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This is a report which was amended on 13 May 2026 to reflect the result of a successful appeal of a citation. Original report was dated 4 February 2026. On Wednesday, 13 May 2026, at approximately 10:00am, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Fabian Schwartz met with Principal Katrina Duke to deliver the findings of a complaint investigation. At time of inspection, there were 55 preschool children being supervised by 10 staff in 4 classes.

The department received a complaint alleging that Staff left child in classroom unattended, Staff failed to report a lack of supervision incident, Staff is verbally abusive towards children, and Staff use inappropriate forms of discipline. During the complaint investigation LPA interviewed staff, children, and parents. LPA gathered documents and made observations. Evidence gathered through investigation revealed that facility had an incident in Room 2 where staff transitioned class outside, and left a child in classroom unattended............... Report Continued on LIC9099-C........
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Amanda Blesi
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Fabian Schwartz
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/13/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/13/2026
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 1 of 6
Control Number 03-CC-20250929110324
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO CC RO, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827
FACILITY NAME: MERRYHILL SCHOOL-DANBROOK
FACILITY NUMBER: 343614049
VISIT DATE: 02/04/2026
NARRATIVE
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This is a report which was amended on 13 May 2026 to reflect the result of a successful appeal of a citation. Original report was dated 4 February 2026.

Report Continued from LIC9099.....

Child had hidden in bathroom during transition, but was without supervision while the rest of class transitioned outside. Facility failed to report this incident to licensing. Through interviews and observations, evidence gathered showed that some staff at the facility spoke to children in a manner which violated their personal rights by using raised voices and inappropriate language towards children, and that staff used inappropriate forms of discipline by grabbing children in too rough a manner. Based on the interviews, record review, and observations, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegations are SUBSTANTIATED.

3 Type A and 1 Type B Title 22 deficiencies are being cited for facility having a lack of supervision incident, not reporting a lack of supervision incident, staff being verbally abusive towards children, and staff using inappropriate forms of discipline. Those citations are being explained in more detail on accompanying LIC9099-D Pages.

Title 22 deficiencies are cited on the subsequent pages of this report. Principal acknowledges, that FOR TYPE A DEFICIENCIES ONLY upon receipt, Principal shall post LIC 9099D with Type A deficiencies for 30 days and provide copies of this licensing report to parents/guardians of children in care at the facility and to parents/guardians of children newly enrolled at the facility during the next 12 months. LIC 9224 must be signed by parents/guardians and kept with the children's forms as a receipt whenever any Type A documents are provided by the Facility. LIC 9224 and Appeal Rights were provided. Facility Staff's signature on this report acknowledges receipt of these rights.

This report was reviewed with the Principal and an exit interview was conducted. A Notice of Site Visit was provided and shall remain posted for a period of 30 days.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Amanda Blesi
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Fabian Schwartz
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/13/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/13/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 6
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO CC RO, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
09/29/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Fabian Schwartz
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 03-CC-20250929110324

FACILITY NAME:MERRYHILL SCHOOL-DANBROOKFACILITY NUMBER:
343614049
ADMINISTRATOR:ROBIN KEMMERFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:1901 DANBROOK DRTELEPHONE:
(916) 285-8656
CITY:SACRAMENTOSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
95835
CAPACITY:120CENSUS: 58DATE:
02/04/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
10:15 AM
MET WITH:Katrina DukeTIME COMPLETED:
04:45 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Conduct Inimical - Unsubstantiated
Staff are not fully qualified – Unsubstantiated
Staff is feeding children food that is not approved by parents – Unsubstantiated
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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This is a report which was amended on 13 May 2026 to reflect the result of a successful appeal of a citation. Original report was dated 4 February 2026. On Wednesday, 13 May 2026, at approximately 10:00am, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Fabian Schwartz met with Principal Katrina Duke to deliver the findings of a complaint investigation. At time of inspection there were 55 preschool children being supervised by 10 staff in 4 classes.

The department received a complaint alleging that facility conducted conduct inimical, that staff are not fully qualified, and that Staff is feeding children food that is not approved by parents. During complaint investigation, LPA conducted interviews, made observations, and gathered documents.

Although the alleged violations may have happened or are valid, the preponderance of evidence standard has not been met to fully prove or disprove that they did or did not occur, therefore, the allegations are unsubstantiated. An exit interview was conducted and a notice of site visit and appeal rights were provided. Notice of site visit shall remain posted for 30 days.
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Amanda Blesi
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Fabian Schwartz
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/13/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/13/2026
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 6
Control Number 03-CC-20250929110324
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO CC RO, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827

FACILITY NAME: MERRYHILL SCHOOL-DANBROOK
FACILITY NUMBER: 343614049
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 02/04/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
02/05/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(3)
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 101223 PERSONAL RIGHTS (a) (3) To be free from corporal or unusual punishment, infliction of pain, humiliation, intimidation, ridicule, coercion, threat, mental abuse or other actions of a punitive nature including but not
limited to: interference with functions of daily living including eating, sleeping or toileting; or withholding of shelter, clothing, medication or aids to physical functioning.

This requirement is not met as evidenced by:
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Management will conduct personal rights training with all staff and send LPA proof of training and staff admission of attendance by 5 February 2026.
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Based on interview, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above by having staff who used raised voices and inappropriate language towards children which poses an immediate health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
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Type A
02/05/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101229(a)(1)
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101229 Responsibility for Providing Care and Supervision: (a)The licensee shall provide care and supervision as necessary to meet the children's needs (1)No child(ren) shall be left without the supervision of a teacher at any time, except as specified in Sections 101216.2(e)(1) and 101230(c)(1).

This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
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Management will conduct supervision training with all staff and send LPA proof of training and staff admission of attendance by 5 February 2026.
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Based on interviews and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above by having an incident where 1 child was left without supervision while rest of class transitioned outside, which poses an immediate health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
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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: Amanda Blesi
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Fabian Schwartz
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/04/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/04/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 6
Control Number 03-CC-20250929110324
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO CC RO, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827

FACILITY NAME: MERRYHILL SCHOOL-DANBROOK
FACILITY NUMBER: 343614049
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 02/04/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
02/05/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(3)
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 101223 PERSONAL RIGHTS (a) (3) To be free from corporal or unusual punishment, infliction of pain, humiliation, intimidation, ridicule, coercion, threat, mental abuse or other actions of a punitive nature including but not
limited to: interference with functions of daily living including eating, sleeping or toileting; or withholding of shelter, clothing, medication or aids to physical functioning.

This requirement is not met as evidenced by:
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Management will conduct personal rights training with all staff and send LPA proof of training and staff admission of attendance by 5 February 2026.
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Based on interview and observation, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above by having staff who used inappropriate forms of discipline by grabbing children in too rough a manner which poses an immediate health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
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Deficiency Dismissed
Type A
02/05/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101227(a)(1)
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101227 FOOD SERVICE (a) In child care centers providing meals to children, the following shall apply: (1) All food shall be safe and of the quality and in the quantity necessary to meet the needs of the children. Each meal shall include, at a minimum, the amount of food components as specified by Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 226.20, (Revised January 1, 1990)
Requirements for Meals, for the age group served. All food shall be selected, stored, prepared and served in a safe and healthful manner.

This requirement is not met as evidenced by:
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Management will conduct food service and food allergy requirements training with all staff and send LPA proof of training and staff admission of attendance by 5 February 2026.
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Based on interview, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above by having staff feed children food that was not approved by parents which poses an immediate health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
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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: Amanda Blesi
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Fabian Schwartz
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/04/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/04/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 6
Control Number 03-CC-20250929110324
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO CC RO, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827

FACILITY NAME: MERRYHILL SCHOOL-DANBROOK
FACILITY NUMBER: 343614049
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 02/04/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
03/04/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101212(d)
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101212 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS (d) Upon the occurrence during the operation of the child care center of any of the events specified in (d)(1) below, a report shall be made to the Department by telephone or fax within the Department's next working day and during its normal business hours. In addition, a written report containing the information specified in (d)(2) below shall be submitted to the Department within seven days following the occurrence of such event.

This requirement is not met as evidenced by:
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Management will review licensing protocols for reporting incidents, and will document all future unusual incidents to licensing according to regulations. Management will send LPA signed acknowledgements of staff review of reporting requirement regulations by 4 March 2026.
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Based on interview and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above by not reporting a lack of supervision incident to licensing which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
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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: Amanda Blesi
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Fabian Schwartz
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/04/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/04/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 6 of 6