Nursery tapes pacifier to baby’s mouth

A Jefferson City daycare has been shut down by the state. The Department of Human Services responded to an anonymous complaint that a worker at Noah’s Ark Nursery School on Russell Avenue taped a baby’s mouth shut. A DHS spokesperson says they found a four-month-old boy in a darkened room with a pacifier taped in his mouth by two pieces of two-inch clear packing tape

According to DHS reports, one worker, Angela Gentry told officials it had happened before.

A spokesperson for the agency tells 10News two caretakers are involved with the investigation, Gentry and Kimberly Ball. Each allegedly claimed the other was responsible for the incident.

For one mother in Jefferson City, she says she’s angry, but not surprised by the suspension.

“It’s just one thing after another and it needs to be stopped, it really does,” said Shondra, who asked us not to use her full name for this story.

In May, she enrolled her daughter at the nursery for one day. She believes her 11-month-old daughter was basically neglected during her time there.

The chart that’s supposed to be used to track diaper changes and feeding didn’t add up with the supplies that were left over at the end of the day.

“They said they’d changed her about five times. Only two diapers were gone. For an 11 month old, she goes through a lot of diapers in a day,” Shondra said.

She filed a complaint with the DHS tipline telling them about her suspicions. In her specific case, DHS did not find cause for action.

This week, DHS did find cause for action however. On Wednesday the state served the facility with a suspension order. A hearing is scheduled for Thursday afternoon in the DHS Dandridge office.

The agency says they plan to ask a judge to permanently take away the center’s license.

“I think the daycare should be gone. I think without a doubt they should be prosecuted. I want to see them pay for what they’ve done,” Shondra said.

The daycare is licensed for up to 24 children from six weeks to five years old. It has been in business since 1993.

The Department of Human Services Website gives Noah’s Ark three stars in the categories of Director Qualifications, Professional Development, Compliance History, Parent/Family Involvement, Ratio and Group Size, Staff Compensation, and Program Assessment, resulting in an overall rating of three stars.

That is the highest rating the department gives.

The DHS noted that the investigation started due to an anonymous complaint and encourages parents with concerns to call their Childcare Complaint Hotline at 1-800-462-8261.

Prior Problems
March 14, 2005: Infant SIDS death at old location (1331 Hwy 92 in Jefferson City)
July 2006: Cited for no fire drills documented since May of 06.
May 2006: Cited for not verifying references and one staffer not having a timely physical.
March 2007: Cited for having a pillow and stuffed animal in an infant’s crib (SIDS risk).
March 2007: Cited for ratio and supervision violations, daily attendance log not accurate.

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3 star rating