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Based on the Department’s records, on 05/22/25 a representative of the facility notified the Santa Rosa Regional Community Care Licensing (CCL) Office of an incident via telephone, and subsequently submitted a written Unusual Incident Report (UIR), accompanied by a Suspected Child Abuse Report (SCAR) on the same date. The reports included staff’s observations on 05/22/25 of visible bruising on C1’s leg, upper thigh and inner thighs. The SCAR was also submitted to Sonoma County Child Protective Services. On 05/28/25 an additional SCAR report was cross-reported to the CCL office. The report includes information regarding C1 and “very mild” bruising on lower back and back of thighs being reported to a medical care provider on 05/23/25. It was stated to the medical provider that the bruising was thought to be caused by C1 being “slammed down on a toiler seat” while attending Head Start Caritas Village the day prior. The report states that the medical provider did not agree with that assessment as the cause of the bruising observed, but did not speculate a possible cause.
During interviews conducted, D1, S1 and S2 all denied the allegations, stating that they can’t think of any unexplained bruising on a child in care, other than the bruising observed on child C1 on 05/22/25, which was reported in accordance to reporting requirements applicable to licensing requirements. All staff stated that they have never observed children being handled roughly by staff. It was reported that staff do not place children onto toilets, the children get on the toilet independently, children who are potty training are offered to use the toilet but also use it independently and children in diapers are changed on a changing table and are not offered the toilet, but would be offered to use it if they asked. Staff corroborated that C1 wears diapers, is changed on the changing table and does not use the toilet while in care. According to interviews with children C2-C4, they all like their teachers, reporting that their teachers help them, keep them safe and are nice. C2-C4 all reported that they feel safe at school.
As part of the investigation, interviews were conducted with the facility’s clients and other individuals with knowledge of the facility, but no corroborating information was obtained from these interviews. Facility clients had positive things to share about the staff, specifically raving about D1, and stated that they felt their children were safe while in care. Additionally, a review of records received during the investigation did not provide evidence supporting the allegations.
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