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32 | As part of the investigation, interviews were conducted with facility staff, daycare children, and other relevant individuals.
Complaint received alleged Staff behavior poses a risk to the health and safety of daycare children. Reporting party alleged Staff #1 engaged in inappropriate contact with a minor. These incidents reportedly occurred outside of the daycare and raised concerns about Staff #1’s behavior. The complaint was accepted by the Department’s investigation Branch for full investigations.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Staff #1 had exhibited similar behavior at the facility. Specifically, Staff #1 made unwanted advances toward Staff #2. Staff #1 admitted to making sexual advances towards Staff #2 which involved touching S2’s legs and inner thigh but informed Staff #2 did not resist. This happened on two different occasions when children were in care. Staff #2 reported these incidents to the director and licensee. Both admitted having knowledge of the incident and developed a plan to prevent this which includes monitoring staff #1 and Staff#2. Further investigations revealed Staff # 2 resigned due to the resulting hostile environment. Facility failed to report this incident to the Department.
Based on the evidence obtained during the investigation, and supporting documentation, there is sufficient evidence to determine that staff #1’s behavior poses a risk to the children in care. Therefore, the allegation of conduct inimical has been substantiated.
Citations have been already cited on April 4, 2025, for Staff #1’s inappropriate conduct toward Staff #2, and the facility’s failure to report these incidents to the Department during a Case Management inspection. (See Case Management (LIC809 and LIC809D inspection dated 4/4/2024).
A Non-Compliance Conference will be scheduled with Licensee Cynthia Vitto to further address the Department’s concerns regarding this matter.
An exit interview was conducted, and a copy of this report—including the Licensee’s Appeal Rights and the Notice of Site Visit—was reviewed with and provided to Licensee Cynthia Vitto on the date of the visit.
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