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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 376300051
Report Date: 02/11/2026
Date Signed: 02/11/2026 02:53:35 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVERSIDE SE CC RO, 3737 MAIN STREET, STE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
02/09/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Keely Messerschmidt
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 10-CC-20260209160059
FACILITY NAME:LEARNING JUNGLE ESCONDIDO EASTFACILITY NUMBER:
376300051
ADMINISTRATOR:GUTIERREZ, MARIAFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:1851 E WASHINGTONTELEPHONE:
(760) 745-0115
CITY:ESCONDIDOSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92027
CAPACITY:47CENSUS: 27DATE:
02/11/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
12:30 PM
MET WITH:Maria GutierrezTIME COMPLETED:
03:00 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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9
Staff handled child in a rough manner
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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13
On the above date and time listed, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Keely Messerschmidt arrived at the facility for the purpose of inititating and delivering the complaint findings on the above-referenced allegation. LPA met with Director Maria Gutierrez. LPA toured the facility, conducted census, and verified facility staff and children enrollment. LPA interviewed 3 staff members and watched video footage.

On February 9th, 2026, Community Care Licensing (CCL) received a complaint alleging that staff handled child in a rough manner.

See LIC9099-C
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Deborah Mullen
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Keely Messerschmidt
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/11/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/11/2026
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 5
Control Number 10-CC-20260209160059
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVERSIDE SE CC RO, 3737 MAIN STREET, STE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
FACILITY NAME: LEARNING JUNGLE ESCONDIDO EAST
FACILITY NUMBER: 376300051
VISIT DATE: 02/11/2026
NARRATIVE
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Pertaining to the allegation that staff handled child in a rough manner, based on interviews conducted it was stated that Staff #1 (S1) and Staff #2 (S2) mishandled Child #1 (C1) on 1/29/2026 by grabbing C1 by their arm and causing them to fall to the ground and pushing C1 with their hand causing them to fall to the ground. LPA observed video footage confirming that both S1 and S2 mishandled C1 while in the classroom on 1/29/2026, LPA observed both teachers with 5 children present in the classroom at time of incident.

Based on interviews conducted and video footage the preponderance of evidence standard has been met. Therefore, the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED.

An exit interview was conducted, and this report was reviewed with the Director Maria Gutierrez, and a copy was provided. Appeal rights were discussed and provided during the exit interview.



A Notice of Site visit was given, and Licensee understands that it must remain posted for 30 days.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Deborah Mullen
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Keely Messerschmidt
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/11/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/11/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 5
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVERSIDE SE CC RO, 3737 MAIN STREET, STE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
02/09/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Keely Messerschmidt
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 10-CC-20260209160059

FACILITY NAME:LEARNING JUNGLE ESCONDIDO EASTFACILITY NUMBER:
376300051
ADMINISTRATOR:GUTIERREZ, MARIAFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:1851 E WASHINGTONTELEPHONE:
(760) 745-0115
CITY:ESCONDIDOSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92027
CAPACITY:47CENSUS: 27DATE:
02/11/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
12:30 PM
MET WITH:Maria GutierrezTIME COMPLETED:
03:00 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Staff caused injury to child in care
Staff did not follow reporting requirements
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
On the above date and time listed, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Keely Messerschmidt arrived at the facility for the purpose of initiating and delivering the complaint findings on the above-referenced allegations. LPA met with Director Maria Gutierrez. LPA toured the facility, conducted census, and verified facility staff and children enrollment. LPA interviewed 3 staff members and watched video footage.

On February 9th, 2026, Community Care Licensing (CCL) received a complaint alleging that staff caused injury to child in care and that staff did not follow reporting requirements.

See LIC9099-C
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Deborah Mullen
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Keely Messerschmidt
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/11/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/11/2026
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 5
Control Number 10-CC-20260209160059
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVERSIDE SE CC RO, 3737 MAIN STREET, STE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
FACILITY NAME: LEARNING JUNGLE ESCONDIDO EAST
FACILITY NUMBER: 376300051
VISIT DATE: 02/11/2026
NARRATIVE
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Regarding the allegation that staff caused injury to child in care, based on interviews conducted it was stated that Child #1 (C1) did not sustain any injuries from incident that took place on 1/29/2026. C1 was not observed to have any bruising, marking's or broken skin.

Lastly, pertaining to allegation that staff did not follow reporting requirements, based on interviews conducted Community Care Licensing (CCL) received an Unusual Incident Report (UIR) on Monday 2/2/2026 reporting incident that took place on 1/29/2026 and informed parents as well. Director stated they waited to report to both CCL and parents until video footage was watched and they were aware of the exact details of the incident.

Based on the information obtained during this investigation, it has been determined that although the allegations may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove that the alleged violations did or did not occur. Therefore, the allegations are UNSUBSTANTIATED.

An exit interview was conducted, and this report was reviewed with the Director, Maria Gutierrez, and a copy was provided. Appeal rights were discussed and provided during the exit interview.

A Notice of Site visit was given, and Director understands that it must remain posted for 30 days.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Deborah Mullen
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Keely Messerschmidt
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/11/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/11/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 5
Control Number 10-CC-20260209160059
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVERSIDE SE CC RO, 3737 MAIN STREET, STE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501

FACILITY NAME: LEARNING JUNGLE ESCONDIDO EAST
FACILITY NUMBER: 376300051
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 02/11/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
02/27/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(1)
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(a) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights: (1) To be accorded dignity in his/her personal relationships with staff and other persons.
This requirement was not met as evidenced by,
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Director stated that both S1 and S2 are no longer working at the facility and will conduct a training with all staff regarding personal rights regulations and will submit proof of completion via email to LPA.
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Based on interviews conducted and video footage observed, S1 and S2 both were observed to mishandle C1 causing C1 to cry and did not offer support. This is a potential health and safety risk to children in care.
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Type B
02/27/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(2)
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(a) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights: (2) To be accorded safe, healthful and comfortable accommodations, furnishings and equipment to meet his/her needs. This requirement was not met as evidenced by,
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Director stated that both S1 and S2 are no longer working at the facility and will conduct a training with all staff regarding personal rights regulations and will submit proof of completion via email to LPA.
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Based on interviews conducted and video footage observed, S1 and S2 both were observed to mishandle C1 by grabbing and pushing C1 causing C1 to fall to the ground. This is a potential health and safety risk to children 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: Deborah Mullen
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Keely Messerschmidt
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/11/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/11/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 5