TCA@Gentilly East Head Start Center

“1509. A.1.A Based on record review at 12:30 p.m., on 5/13/2026, Although mandated reporters, S4 failed to report an allegation or suspicion of abuse/neglect of a child to the Child Protection Statewide Hotline as she observed S3 release C1, age three years old, to the floor when he fell to the ground, forcibly grab C1 by the collar of his shirt, and then pulled him up off the ground. S3 then restricted C1 between her legs holding his upper body by both of his arms behind his back with his head facing the ground for approximately fourteen minutes while she sat in a chair. S3 then picked up a wooden classroom chair and motioned towards C1 to try to prevent him from running around the classroom, before holding C1 again in her lap restricting him from moving freely.”

“1509. A.8.a.b. Based on record review and interviews at 12:30 p.m. on 5/13/2026, although the center has developed and implemented a written behavior management policy, S3 (DOH 07/28/2015) used a prohibited method of discipline as C1, age 3-years-old, was subject to physical punishment. On 4/29/2026 at approximately 8:54 a.m., S3 released C1 to the floor when he fell to the ground, forcibly grabbed C1 by the collar of his shirt, and then pulled him up off the ground. S3 then restricted C1 between her legs holding his upper body by both of his arms behind his back with his head facing the ground for approximately fourteen minutes while she sat in a chair. S3 then picked up a wooden classroom chair and motioned towards C1 to try to prevent him from running around the classroom, before holding C1 again in her lap restricting him from moving freely. S3 and S4 were terminated on 4/29/2026 due to the incident.”

“1103.A.4.5.B.3.C.1.2. Based on record review/interviews at 1:30 p.m. on 5/16/25, S1 failed to immediately notify the parent following the critical incident: On 5/14/2025, S1 received a call from S18 around 2:15 p.m. who requested assistance with the children due to their misbehavior. S1 proceeded to assist S18, C1, age four-years-old, walked back to the office with S1 and while in the office, S1 was informed by C1 that S18 had hit her in the stomach. After reviewing the surveillance footage, S1 notified the centers main office. However, S1 did not attempt to contact O1 until 3:22 p.m. O1 was informed of the incident at 4:49 p.m. after calling the center per S1’s request after sending a verbal message with O2.”

“1509.A.8.a.b. Based on record review/interviews at 1:30 p.m. on 5/16/25, although the center has developed and implemented a written Behavior Management Policy, S18 (DOH 8/19/24) used a prohibited method of discipline as C1, age four-years-old, was subject to physical punishment: On 5/14/2025, at approximately 2:16 p.m., the centers video recording showed C1, attempted to hit S18 with a blanket. S18 responded by grabbing C1 by the shoulder and taking hold of the blanket near C1’s neck, pulling it away while stating, “Be cold, because now my back hurts. “C1 then swung her hands at S18. S18 turned around and told her, “Do not swing your hands at me”, as C1 continued to move her hands toward S18. S18 then grabbed both of C1’s hands and reiterated, “Do not swing your hands at me; keep your hands to yourself. “At this point, C1 began whining and dropped to the floor in a kneeling position. S18 released C1’s hands and started to walk away. When C1 swung at S18 again while she was walking away, S18 turned around and backhanded C1 in the stomach area. S18 was terminated on 5/16/25.”

“1509.A.8.a.b. Based on record review/interviews at 1:11 p.m., although the center has a Behavior Management Policy implemented, per center video, S19 (DOH 3/28/2016) used a prohibited method of discipline corporal/physical punishment on 6/11/2024 at approximately 8:07 a.m. when C1, age 4, went to touch S19, S19 took her left arm, pushed C1 into a shelf behind where S19 was sitting, and pushed her body into C1. S19 immediately stands up, while continually yelling at C1, picks C1 up by a body part and forcefully pushed C1 to the floor. S19 then picks C1 up with both of her hands and throws C1 to another area on the floor. S19 grabs C1s arm and lets go while bending over C1 and yelling. As C1 was sitting on the floor, S19 took C1s arm and forcefully pushes C1s upper body and face into a shelf. C1 is seen hitting at S19s leg as S19 walks past C1. S19 turns around and kicks C1, takes C1s left arm and forcefully pushes C1 into the red block/chair that S19 was originally sitting on. C1 is then seen holding her eye. S19 was terminated on 6/12/2024.”