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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 376701602
Report Date: 07/09/2026
Date Signed: 08/06/2026 02:06:53 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO CC RO, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR., STE 110
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
04/30/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Dana Stevens
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 20-CC-20260430090719
FACILITY NAME:LA MESA UNITED METHODIST CHILDREN'S CENTERFACILITY NUMBER:
376701602
ADMINISTRATOR:HUNTER DONAHOOFACILITY TYPE:
860
ADDRESS:4690 PALM AVENUETELEPHONE:
(619) 466-8407
CITY:LA MESASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
91941
CAPACITY:127CENSUS: 52DATE:
07/09/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
03:50 PM
MET WITH:Hunter DonahooTIME COMPLETED:
04:30 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff do not ensure the outdoor activity area is safe and free of hazards.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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 ***This is an amended version of original report dated 07/09/2026***
On 07/09/2026 at 3:50 PM, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Dana Stevens conducted an unannounced complaint inspection to deliver findings on the above allegation. LPA met with Director, Hunter Donahoo and disclosed the reason for the visit. There were 52 children with 8 staff at the time of the inspection.

During the investigation LPA conducted three unannounced inspections, interviewed Director, staff, preschool children, and daycare parents. Additionally LPA inspected and took photos of the preschool playground. During interview, Director confirmed there was a recent occasion when a preschool child was injured on the playground. Interviews with Director and staff revealed that on an undetermined date in April 2026, Child 1(C1) fell into a trench located behind the sandbox on the playground and scraped his leg. The injury was reported verbally to C1's parent the same day. During inspection of the preschool playground LPA observed a gap that dropped down approximately 2 feet, between the edge of the playground and the metal fencing that encloses the playground. During staff interviews 2 out of 3 staff interviewed stated there were prior incidents of children falling in the trench and injuring themselves.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Rajani Goudreau
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Dana Stevens
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/06/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/06/2026
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 3
Control Number 20-CC-20260430090719
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO CC RO, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR., STE 110
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108
FACILITY NAME: LA MESA UNITED METHODIST CHILDREN'S CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 376701602
VISIT DATE: 07/09/2026
NARRATIVE
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 ***This is an amended version of original report dated 07/09/2026***

During child interviews, 5 out of 7 children stated either they or their classmates have been injured from falling into the trench behind the sandbox. During parent interviews 1 out of 3 parents interviewed stated their child was injured due to falling in the trench behind the sandbox.

Based on interviews and LPA observation, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation is found to be substantiated. California Code of Regulations, (Title 22, Division 12 & Chapter 1), are being cited on the attached LIC 9099D.

LPA Stevens informed Director that this report dated 07/09/2026 document(s) one (1) Type A citation which shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there is immediate risk(s) to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care.

Also, LPA Stevens informed the Director to provide a copy of this licensing report dated 07/09/2026 that documents the Type A citation to parents/guardians of all children currently enrolled by the next business day or the next day the children are in care, and to any newly enrolled parents/guardians for 12 months from the date of this report. A signed Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Report (LIC 9224), or other written statement, must be placed in the child's file for verification.



Exit interview conducted and copy of this report and appeal rights provided to Director. Notice of site visit must be posted for thirty (30) days.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Rajani Goudreau
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Dana Stevens
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/06/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/06/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
Control Number 20-CC-20260430090719
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO CC RO, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR., STE 110
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108

FACILITY NAME: LA MESA UNITED METHODIST CHILDREN'S CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 376701602
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 07/09/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
07/09/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(2)
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101223 Personal Rights (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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On 05/30/2026 secure mesh fencing was installed around the perimeter of the playground which makes the trench inaccessible to children on the playground.
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Based on interviews and LPA observation, the facility did not meet this requirement by not ensuring the preschool playground was free of hazards, which posed an immediate risk to the health, safety and personal rights of 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.
SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Rajani Goudreau
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Dana Stevens
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/09/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/09/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 3