493009877-9-2-2026-01-CC-MAUN-DXQUDJ-20260908152938

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 493009877
Report Date: 09/02/2026
Date Signed: 09/02/2026 10:19:06 AM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA ROSA CC RO, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
06/10/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Amy Strother

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 01-CC-20260610084831

FACILITY NAME:	FULTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL & FARM		FACILITY NUMBER:	493009877
ADMINISTRATOR:	RENEE WHITLOCK-HEMSOUVANH		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	1225 FULTON ROAD		TELEPHONE:	(707) 523-8035
CITY:	SANTA ROSA	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	95401
CAPACITY:	75	CENSUS: 34	DATE:	09/02/2026
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	09:05 AM
MET WITH:	Renee Whitlock-Hemsouvanh		TIME COMPLETED:	10:35 AM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff did not prevent children in care from engaging in inappropriate interactions

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Amy Strother made a subsequent complaint investigation inspection, for the purpose of delivering complaint findings, and met with Director, Renee Whitlock-Hemsouvanh. It has been alleged that staff did not prevent children in care from engaging in inappropriate interactions, specifically that staff did not prevent child C2 from inappropriately touching child C1.

On 05/13/26 the facility submitted an Unusual Incident Report (UIR), self-reporting an incident related to the allegation. On 06/09/26 LPA Strother conducted a Case Management visit at the facility, following up on the 05/13/26 UIR. During the Case Management visit, LPA toured the facility, obtained documents and conducted interviews with D1 and three staff, S2-S4.

During the initial complaint investigation inspection on 06/16/26, LPA toured the facility, made observations, obtained records related to the allegation and conducted interviews with D1, 5 staff (S1 & S3-S6) and 4 children (C3-C6).
Continue on LIC9099-C

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Melchisedeck Augustin
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Amy Strother
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 09/02/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/02/2026

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 01-CC-20260610084831

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA ROSA CC RO, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405

FACILITY NAME: FULTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL & FARM	FACILITY NUMBER: 493009877
	VISIT DATE: 09/02/2026

NARRATIVE

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D1 denied the allegation, stating that staff have on multiple occasions witnessed and intervened when inappropriate behavior has been observed or was anticipated based on children’s behavior or body language.

Children interviewed spoke of feeling safe at school, stating that teachers help them when asked, but also when teacher see that a child needs help. Children shared examples of rules or agreements at school, such as no hitting, no pushing, don’t throw things from the loft, the crates can only go three high, only teachers open the gates, wash your hands after touching the turtle and clothes stay on except when you go to the bathroom. One child stated that the teachers are always busy watching the children and reading stories to them.

One child interviewed shared that they witnessed two children pull their own pants down at school. The other children did not give specific examples of clothing coming off at school. Children consistently stated that they are given reminders about keeping clothes on at school and that you can’t pull down another child’s pants. They demonstrated a clear understanding that clothes only come off at school if they are wet to change into dry clothes or to use the bathroom.

During LPA’s visit to the facility on 06/09/26, D1 stated that the facility uses “zones” or “posts” where staff are positioned as a means of spreading out on the yards to provide supervision. D1 described each zone by name, during the tour of the space with LPA Strother. D1 additionally stated that some children have been assigned increased supervision through staff shadowing, due to behavioral or developmental needs that have been identified. D1 shared that staff use redirection with children as necessary, as a means of behavioral modification.

The three staff (S2 – S4) interviewed on 06/09/26 corroborated D1’s statements regarding the zones or posts, each explaining to LPA Strother the same areas that teachers are stationed as a means of providing supervision across the entire outdoor area. In addition to the zones and posts, at least one staff member spoke about a teacher as a “floater”, a teacher that goes from one area to another as needed, assisting a child or children that may need special attention or filling in for a teacher, that may need to provide that special attention.

Continue on LIC9099-C

SUPERVISORS NAME: Melchisedeck Augustin
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Amy Strother
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 09/02/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/02/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 01-CC-20260610084831

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA ROSA CC RO, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405

FACILITY NAME: FULTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL & FARM	FACILITY NUMBER: 493009877
	VISIT DATE: 09/02/2026

NARRATIVE

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The 06/09/26 and 06/16/26 staff interviews corroborated a teacher communication plan to include using a combination of hand signals, calling out to one another or sending messages via facility issued call phones, worn on lanyards for group notifications. Interviews corroborated that there are a few children that staff are closely monitoring, and that staff will call out a child's name, "So and So is moving over to the slide area" for example, so that the staff in the slide area now know to keep a close eye on the specific child named.

S3 gave a specific example of another teacher (S4) communicating to her that a couple children appeared to be pulling at the top of their pants while they were under the table outside. S4 had stepped in to put a stop to the behavior, redirecting the children to get out from under the table and gave a verbal reminder to the children that clothes stay on at school. The example was later corroborated during an interview with LPA Strother by S4, who observed the children under the table.

S4 gave an example of writing an incident report, after witnessing one child (C7) encouraging another child (C8) to pull their pants down, and the child complied, stating it all happened within a second and right in front of the teacher. The supervising teacher reminded the children that pants only come down in the bathroom. The same staff stated that they recall another teacher (S1) informing them that children C1 and C2 were acting sneaky and suggested that they keep a close eye on them to prevent any inappropriate interactions between them. S4 stated that they have not witnessed inappropriate interactions between C1 and C2.

LPA received a copy of the written incident report dated 05/19/26 stating that child C7 pulled child C8’s pants down and C8 showed C7 their underwear and that the teacher present (S4) let C7 and C8 know that the behavior was unacceptable and to keep their bodies to themselves. Although the recalled details of the incident may have varied from the written report, S4’s statement of observing and intervening were consistent with the copy of the written report provided to LPA Strother on 06/16/26.

Interviews with staff S1, S5 and S6 on 06/16/26 continued to corroborate D1’s statements and staff S2-S4’s understanding of spreading out on the yard, communicating with one another and responding when they see something.

Continue LIC9099-C

SUPERVISORS NAME: Melchisedeck Augustin
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Amy Strother
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 09/02/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/02/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 01-CC-20260610084831

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA ROSA CC RO, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405

FACILITY NAME: FULTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL & FARM	FACILITY NUMBER: 493009877
	VISIT DATE: 09/02/2026

NARRATIVE

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S6 gave an example of seeing a child who looked like they had been trying to pull their pants down and immediately stepping in to give a reminder that clothes stay on at school. S6 did not give the name of the child involved in the incident but did state that it was unclear if the child’s intention was to “explore” or “nature pee”. S6 reported that they then communicated to the other staff in the yard so that they were aware.

S5 shared an example of witnessing child (C9) exposing their private area in the presence of another child (C10) while inside the classroom, stating that C10 was laughing in response. S5 reported that they went to C9 and explained that what C9 was doing was not appropriate behavior and that we kept our clothes on at school, then alerted staff S3, the lead teacher in the classroom.

S5 additionally shared an example of a time when inappropriate behavior was anticipated and prevented. S5 stated that it was around the same time that staff noticed a lot of children showing interest in bodies. S5 stated that children C11 and C12 were by the benches; C11 grabbed C12 from the back and asked them to go this way. S5 stated that they followed C11 and C12 to the slide area. When S5 got to the slide area, C11 and C12 were both observed to be on their knees. S5 reported hearing C11 telling C12, “Go C12 go.”

S5 reported witnessing C12 with their hands at the bottom of their shirt as if they were going to first pull their shirt up to maybe then pull their pants down. S5 stated that they didn’t see specific inappropriate behavior but assumed that it could happen, and I asked C11 and C12 what they were doing. C11 and C12 said they were just playing and then S5 reminded them that clothes stay on at school unless you need to go to the bathroom. S5 then observed C11 and C12 run off to go play. S5 reported that she then informed D1 who was coming over toward them, letting D1 know what S5 observed and alerting D1 that C11 and C12 would need close monitoring.

Based on the interview with staff S1, S1 witnessed a time when children C1 and C2 were hiding near the trees, so S1 moved closer. S1 reported that C1 asked S1 to leave them alone, so S1 said okay, but stayed close by, giving them the idea of space. S1 reported that next C1 was holding C2’s hand and C2 was following C1 to the “log yard”. S1 stated they followed C1 and C2, sharing that as soon as they couldn’t see C1 and C2, they asked them to come out, stating that C1 and C2 were out of sight for less than a minute while they caught up to them in the log yard.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Melchisedeck Augustin
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Amy Strother
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 09/02/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/02/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 01-CC-20260610084831

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA ROSA CC RO, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405

FACILITY NAME: FULTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL & FARM	FACILITY NUMBER: 493009877
	VISIT DATE: 09/02/2026

NARRATIVE

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S1 shared that they started to think maybe this didn’t seem like typical play and told C1 and C2 that they needed them to come out and that they weren’t allowed to hide. S1 reported that they then alerted the other staff. S1 stated that they have never observed inappropriate touching between C1 and C2, only suspicious behavior.

In addition to the 05/19/26 incident report provided to LPA Strother, LPA received evidence of a similar incident on 05/06/26 recorded by staff and shared with the parents of the children involved. On 05/13/26 LPA received and reviewed evidence of a letter that D1 sent to all families on 03/24/26 informing parents that staff had observed some of the children showing a strong interest in their own bodies and the bodies of others, stating that it is a typical part of early childhood development. In summary the letter spoke to the fact that although children have natural curiosity, physical body exploration is not appropriate in the school environment and asked for the parents support in reinforcing this boundary with their children at home.

LPA conducted interviews with three adults (A1, A4 and A5) and made multiple attempts to interview former staff, adult A6 between 06/15/26 and 08/28/26. Requests to interview children C1 and C2 were declined.

Interviews with A1, A4 and A5 corroborate that C1 and C2 disclosed that C2 engaged in inappropriate touching of C1 while at the facility. Based on C2’s reported disclosure, C2 stated there was an incident behind a bush outside where C2 was looking at C1’s private area, a teacher saw them behind the bush, and a teacher immediately went to them. C2 reported that it happened once and then another time the teachers saw C1 and C2 going to an area and questioned what they were doing, and it didn’t happen again.

Based on C1’s reported disclosure, C1 stated that child C2 touched C1 in the private area on more than one occasion and that C1 and C2 would be in areas that were hard to see by teachers. C1 disclosed that their pants were pulled up before a teacher came over to them.

Continue on LIC9099-C

SUPERVISORS NAME: Melchisedeck Augustin
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Amy Strother
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 09/02/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/02/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 5 of 6

Control Number 01-CC-20260610084831

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA ROSA CC RO, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405

FACILITY NAME: FULTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL & FARM	FACILITY NUMBER: 493009877
	VISIT DATE: 09/02/2026

NARRATIVE

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Although touching between daycare children may have occurred, based on information gathered during interviews, there was insufficient evidence to support that touching between daycare children occurred due to a result of lack of supervision. Based on available information and interviews conducted, although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur. Therefore, the allegation is determined to be UNSUBSTANTIATED at this time.

This report was reviewed and discussed with Facility Representative, Director, Renee Whitlock-Hemsouvanh. Appeal Rights were provided.

There were no Title 22 deficiencies cited during today's inspection.

Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 days from today’s visit.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Melchisedeck Augustin
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Amy Strother
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 09/02/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/02/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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