STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES BUREAU OF CHILDREN AND ADULT LICENSING JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM GOVERNOR ISMAEL AHMED DIRECTOR May 14, 2008 Linda Pugh 408 W. King St. Owosso, MI 48867 RE: Lic./Reg. #: Investigation #: DG780281526 2008D0199022 Pugh, Linda Dear Ms. Pugh Attached is the Special Investigation Report for the above referenced facility. Due to the violations identified in the report, a written corrective action plan is required. The corrective action plan is due 15 days from the date of this letter and must include the following: How compliance with each rule will be achieved. Who is directly responsible for implementing the corrective action for each violation. Specific time frames for each violation as to when the correction will be completed or implemented. How continuing compliance will be maintained once compliance is achieved. The signature of the responsible party and a date. If you desire technical assistance in addressing these issues, please feel free to contact me. In any event, the corrective action plan is due within 15 days. Failure to submit an acceptable corrective action plan will result in disciplinary action. P.O. BOX 30650 LANSING, MICHIGAN 48909-8150 www.michigan.gov (517) 335-6124
Please review the enclosed documentation for accuracy and feel free to contact me with any questions. In the event that I am not available and you need to speak to someone immediately, please feel free to contact the local office at (517) 241-2585. Sincerely, Scott W. Bettys, Licensing Consultant Bureau of Children and Adult Licensing 7109 W. Saginaw P.O. Box 30650 Lansing, MI 48909 (517) 241-1812 enclosure P.O. BOX 30650 LANSING, MICHIGAN 48909-8150 www.michigan.gov (517) 335-6124
I. IDENTIFYING INFORMATION MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES BUREAU OF CHILDREN AND ADULT LICENSING SPECIAL INVESTIGATION REPORT THIS REPORT CONTAINS QUOTED PROFANITY License #: Investigation #: DG780281526 2008D0199022 Complaint Receipt Date: 04/23/2008 Investigation Initiation Date: 04/24/2008 Report Due Date: 06/22/2008 Licensee Name: Licensee Address: Linda Pugh 408 W. King St. Owosso, MI 48867 Licensee Telephone #: (989) 729-9279 Administrator: N/A Licensee Designee: Name of Facility: Facility Address: Pugh, Linda 408 W. King St. Owosso, MI 48867 Facility Telephone #: (989) 729-9279 Original Issuance Date: 03/10/2006 License Status: REGULAR Effective Date: 01/11/2008 Expiration Date: 01/10/2010 Capacity: 12 Program Type: CHILD DAY CARE GROUP HOME (CAPACITY 7-12) 1
II. ALLEGATION(S) On 4/22/08 Linda Pugh screamed that she ought to spank Child A s (male, age 3) ass after he had a bowel movement which spilled out of his diaper onto her rug. Ms. Pugh told a parent that the boy she was yelling at should be potty trained and any parent who did not have their child potty trained at his age should be brought into court. This allegation is not violation of either P.A. 116 or Administrative Rules for Family and Group Child Care Homes; therefore it will not be investigated. III. METHODOLOGY 04/23/2008 Special Investigation Intake 2008D0199022 04/24/2008 Special Investigation Initiated - On Site interview with Staff 1 and Staff 2 04/28/2008 Contact - Telephone interview with Child A and B's Mother 04/28/2008 Contact - Face to Face Interview with Ms. Pugh and Witness 1 04/28/2008 Contact - Telephone messages left for Child C's Mother and Child D's Mother 04/29/2008 Contact - Telephone message received from Child D's Mother 04/30/2008 Contact Telephone interview with Child D s Mother 05/14/2008 Exit Conference with Ms. Pugh ALLEGATION: On 4/22/08 Linda Pugh screamed at Child A (male, age 3) that she ought to spank his ass after he had a bowel movement, which spilled out of his diaper onto her rug. INVESTIGATION: On 4/24/08 an unannounced on-site investigation was conducted at Ms. Pugh s residence. Staff 1 was present with three children. Staff 1 indicated that Ms. Pugh informed her of the incident that occurred on 4/21/08, where Child A had an accident in his diaper, which spilled out onto Ms. Pugh s rug. Staff 1 was not present when this incident occurred. Staff 1 stated that Child C s Mother was present and heard from Ms. Pugh that Child C s Mother gave Ms. Pugh a dirty look 2
for getting after Child A. Staff 1 denied that she ever heard Ms. Pugh swear at any child or threaten to spank any child. She indicated that Ms. Pugh talks loud at times, but does not yell at the children. Staff 1 believes that Staff 2 was present on 4/21/08. Staff 2 stated that she was informed of Child A having an accident on Ms. Pugh s rug on 4/21/08, which occurred around 8:00 am. Staff 2 started work that day around 8:30 a.m. but had no information regarding what was said to Child A. She denied ever hearing Ms. Pugh yell or swear at any child in care. Ms. Pugh stated that on 4/21/08 she told Child A that if he were her son she would spank his butt after he had a bowel movement in his diaper which spilled onto her rug. When questioned, Ms. Pugh could not remember if she said butt or ass when addressing Child A. Ms. Pugh admitted to telling other children in the past that if they were her children she would spank their butt if they were misbehaving. She denied that she would ever spank a child, as this would be a violation of the licensing rules. Ms. Pugh stated that Child C s Mother was around the corner dropping off Child C (male, age 2) when she made the above statement to Child A. Child C is no longer attending care with Ms. Pugh. Ms. Pugh indicated that Witness 1, who is related to her, was present on 4/21/08. Ms. Pugh denied that she yelled or screamed at Child A when she made the above statement to him. Witness 1 stated that he was present on 4/21/08 and in the same room as Child A when he heard Ms. Pugh tell Child A boy if you were my little boy, I would spank your butt due to him having a bowel movement in his diaper that spilled onto her rug. Witness 1 denied that Ms. Pugh screamed or swore at Child A and added that Child C s Mother was dropping off Child C during this situation. Child A and B s Mother stated that Child A and Child B (male, age 7) have been in care with Ms. Pugh for two months and both enjoy going to Ms. Pugh s for child care. She denied ever hearing Ms. Pugh yell or swear at any child. Child A and B s Mother denied having any concerns that Ms. Pugh tells children that she will spank them. Child A and B s Mother indicated that Ms. Pugh informed her that Child A had an accident in his diaper on 4/21/08 and that she will continue to work with him on potty training. Child A and Child B were unavailable to interview. Child A and B s Mother questioned Child B who could not remember what Ms. Pugh said to Child A, other than Ms. Pugh yelling Child A s name when he had an accident in his diaper. Child A and B s Mother likes the structured environment that Ms. Pugh provides for her children and added that her children would not be attending care with Ms. Pugh if she did not think it was a good environment. Child D s Mother stated that Child D (male, age 6) has been in care with Ms. Pugh for approximately five years and added that Child D enjoys going to Ms. Pugh s. Child D s Mother denied ever hearing Ms. Pugh or any staff member yell at children and has no concerns with Ms. Pugh s child care. 3
Attempts to speak with Child C s Mother were unsuccessful. APPLICABLE RULE R 400.1913 Discipline and child handling. (3) Caregiving staff shall not do any of the following: (c) Inflict mental or emotional stress, such as humiliating, shaming, threatening a child, or using derogatory remarks. ANALYSIS: CONCLUSION: Ms. Pugh admitted to telling Child A that if he were her son, she would spank his butt. VIOLATION ESTABLISHED IV. RECOMMENDATION Upon receipt of an acceptable corrective action plan, I recommend that the status of this license remain unchanged. 5/14/08 Scott W. Bettys Date Licensing Consultant Approved By: 05/14/08 Kathleen S. Sinnamon Date Area Manager 4