DCB Injury

[craftymissbeth]

I have a sibling set: dcb3 and dcb4. This is their third week of being in my care. I posted about dcb3's behavioral issues twice before... I'll try to link those posts when I have time.

Anyway, dcb4 constantly has his hands and feet all over dcb3. He thinks it's cute when he hurts dcb3 and when he instigates things to get dcb3 to misbehave. Today dcb4 spent a lot of time as my shadow and in time out. Every time he thought I wasn't looking he was all over dcb3.

The reason I say all if that is because dcm just called me and said they're in the ER with dcb3 because he has a "Palm sized raised red mark across his sternum over his heart". He has a super pointy sternum so they're afraid when he was injured that his heart could be affected.

She basically said this had to have happened at daycare today. She picked up at 2:30 while the boys were napping and I had just changed dcb3's pull-up at 12:00. He has to wear backwards footed pajamas while here so when I change him he strips all the way naked... I would have seen an injury like she's describing! Also, she called me at 5:13 pm from the ER... I'm not sure how long they've been there, but that's almost 3 hours from when he left here! Anything could have happened with her wild boys in that amount of time!


Nothing happened today and his behavior never once made me think he could have been hurt.

I'm FREAKING out!

[craftymissbeth]

Anyone?

Do I need to take steps with licensing or worry that I'm going to lose my business? I'm so worried

[Cradle2crayons]

Deep breath.

First, I would explain to mom that at his 12:00 diaper change, no injuries were noted.

Have you documented conversations with mom about the behavior issues... Documented behavior reports... Anything like that??

Why did mom pick up during nap time? Any specific reason??

I would find out specifics from mom and document the conversation. I keep a communication log just for verbal communications with parents.

I would ask when she noticed the injury. What led up to it. Did she notice it at a diaper change at home. Did he start crying and she noticed it etc??

I would call licensing just to cya. I would find out from mom exactly when she got to the ER. Etc.

I would start documenting EVERYTHING. I would say to mom that from now on you have to examine both boys at drop off for any injuries before she leaves. I would then examine in front of mom at pick up. Mom will quickly realize you are on to her.

Some people would probably say this mom is way too much risk to keep as a client but terming because she's accusing you also would look suspicious.

I would call mom on her bluff. "Mom I examined dcb at his noon diaper change nd here were no injuries at that time. Are you accusing me of something?"

Likely mom is freaked out too and is just venting and speaking without thinking.

[Starburst]

Well, my childcare supervision instructor (who is also the preschool director of the schools CDC) says any time anything unusual or out of the ordinary happens at the preschool, she report it to licensing. Even if someone who was walking on campus came in to the CD center because they couldn't breath and 911 had to be called she reported it as an "unusual incident", even if it didn't directly affect the child care children or staff.

I would probably, at the very least, document it for now along with anything else the other child has done. If she said it was "palm shaped" I would probably see if there is a way you can measure the mark (is it the size of a child's palm?), if it does then probably look into putting DCB 4 on probation (if not terminate, since he did harm another child to the point of it leaving a mark and possibly affecting his health) and of course report it to licensing to avoid any future issues.

[Naptime yet?]

I would call/email licensing & let them know what happened. But if you've been documenting their behavior & injuries all along, & if something serious happened on your watch, why wouldn't you have documented that, also (rhetorical)?

Take a deep breath and I hope this blows over. The kids sound like a handful, DCM should not blame you, unfortunately providers become scapegoats for everything.

[craftymissbeth]

Deep breath.

First, I would explain to mom that at his 12:00 diaper change, no injuries were noted.

Have you documented conversations with mom about the behavior issues... Documented behavior reports... Anything like that??

Why did mom pick up during nap time? Any specific reason??

I would find out specifics from mom and document the conversation. I keep a communication log just for verbal communications with parents.

I would ask when she noticed the injury. What led up to it. Did she notice it at a diaper change at home. Did he start crying and she noticed it etc??

I would call licensing just to cya. I would find out from mom exactly when she got to the ER. Etc.

I would start documenting EVERYTHING. I would say to mom that from now on you have to examine both boys at drop off for any injuries before she leaves. I would then examine in front of mom at pick up. Mom will quickly realize you are on to her.

Some people would probably say this mom is way too much risk to keep as a client but terming because she's accusing you also would look suspicious.

I would call mom on her bluff. "Mom I examined dcb at his noon diaper change nd here were no injuries at that time. Are you accusing me of something?"

Likely mom is freaked out too and is just venting and speaking without thinking.

Her pick up time is 3:00 so I'm guessing she just got off early? Idk

I have not been documenting all of the behavior issues or anything at all, actually, but I will from now on.

I emailed my licensor and am filling out the states incident report just in case I need it. Even if I don't it's at least documentation of the incident.

I'm just so worried... I told her she NEEDS to call me ASAP after they get out of the ER. I'm also going to ask her why she failed to tell me that any type of injury to his chest becomes a heart worry?? Ugh, I'm so frustrated.

[CraftyMom]

My reaction is, if he went down for nap at 12:00 and she picked up at 2:30, how is it still red and raised if it happened with you and it was now 5:00? It would not likely be still red as 3.5 to 5 hours later. Clearly it happened at home

Don't worry too much. If you haven't documented yet, do it now. Include how rough the boys are with each other on a daily basis and that you have to separate them so they don't hurt each other.

[sahm1225]

Her pick up time is 3:00 so I'm guessing she just got off early? Idk

I have not been documenting all of the behavior issues or anything at all, actually, but I will from now on.

I emailed my licensor and am filling out the states incident report just in case I need it. Even if I don't it's at least documentation of the incident.

I'm just so worried... I told her she NEEDS to call me ASAP after they get out of the ER. I'm also going to ask her why she failed to tell me that any type of injury to his chest becomes a heart worry?? Ugh, I'm so frustrated.

I would write on your incident report that the mom called you at 5:13 to
Inform you of a raised red mark on dcb chest. You changed him out of his backward pjs at 2:30, right? Indicate there was no raised mark at that time.

Have you talked to the mom about dcb4 behavior? Document your verbal conversations (dates & times).

I would give your licensing rep a heads up.

When you talk to the mom, do not apologize for anything (don't say 'I'm sorry, I didn't see anything' instead say 'I didn't see any marks at 2:30 when you picked up'.) do not say anything that can be misconstrued as you admiring fault!

[craftymissbeth]

My reaction is, if he went down for nap at 12:00 and she picked up at 2:30, how is it still red and raised if it happened with you and it was now 5:00? It would not likely be still red as 3.5 to 5 hours later. Clearly it happened at home

Don't worry too much. If you haven't documented yet, do it now. Include how rough the boys are with each other on a daily basis and that you have to separate them so they don't hurt each other.

Exactly. I was freaking out when she called me so I didn't really ask her any questions.

I would write on your incident report that the mom called you at 5:13 to
Inform you of a raised red mark on dcb chest. You changed him out of his backward pjs at 2:30, right? Indicate there was no raised mark at that time.

Have you talked to the mom about dcb4 behavior? Document your verbal conversations (dates & times).

I would give your licensing rep a heads up.

When you talk to the mom, do not apologize for anything (don't say 'I'm sorry, I didn't see anything' instead say 'I didn't see any marks at 2:30 when you picked up'.) do not say anything that can be misconstrued as you admiring fault!

He was not changed at 2:30. She picked him up from his mat and carried him to the car. At that time I did talk to her about dcb4's behavior and that he HAS to stop touching his brother in any way while here. I couldn't even let them hug because it very quickly turns into rough housing. I emailed my rep a little while ago.

[sahm1225]

My reaction is, if he went down for nap at 12:00 and she picked up at 2:30, how is it still red and raised if it happened with you and it was now 5:00? It would not likely be still red as 3.5 to 5 hours later. Clearly it happened at home

Don't worry too much. If you haven't documented yet, do it now. Include how rough the boys are with each other on a daily basis and that you have to separate them so they don't hurt each other.

That's what I was thinking. He was asleep at 12:30 until she picked up. Marks don't typically stay raised for 5 hours! Wait to see what she says. I'm guessing the rough behavior is something that doesnt just happen at daycare kwim?

[craftymissbeth]

That's what I was thinking. He was asleep at 12:30 until she picked up. Marks don't typically stay raised for 5 hours! Wait to see what she says. I'm guessing the rough behavior is something that doesnt just happen at daycare kwim?

Yep, when I talked to her about the behavior she smiled and nodded and said "oh yeah" as in she knew what I was talking about. It obviously happens at home.

[craftymissbeth]

If they tell the ER it happened here are they going to report me? Am I going to get the bill? How in the world do people go about proving that sort of thing? I know without a doubt it did not happen here but ultimately it's my word against theirs, kwim?

[Scout]

:hug::hug::hug:

[CraftyMom]

They can speculate that it happened there but they can't prove it. That's why it's important to have their behavior documented, even weeks back, as much as you can remember.

The timeline of when he was with you to when his marks were red won't add up.

Document the time mom called you, etc.

State the facts only, don't speculate or give opinion.

Document that you spoke with mom on xxx occasions about the behavior.

You may get a visit from licensing if they try to blame you.

Try not to worry too much about it though, just cya and be prepared with your documentation. I know a lot is running through your mind but it will be fine!

As far as getting a bill do you have any sort of clause that says you will not be responsible for medical bills for accidents that happen on your property? This can't be proven to have happened on your property anyway so I don't see where it would be an issue. Mom brought him to the ER not you.

[jenn]

I'm so sorry. What a headache!

I would document the whole day today in detail. Everything that the boys did, ate, early pick up, conversation with mom at pick up, phone call...

Since you said you didn't document previous behavior, I would go back and make some rough notes about behavior and discussions with mom about the behavior. You may not be able to put exact dates, but maybe do Week of March 17-21 and some random notes.

I am glad you emailed licensing. it's always best for them to hear your side before they hear from an irate parent. Covers your butt a little I would call them in the morning. I can't remember for sure, but I think you are in the same county as I am. If your assigned person is not available, ask to speak to any of the licensing/surveyor people.

Just in case the mom does say something at the ER that makes them suspicious or calls licensing and they want to check out her story, I would be prepared for a visit from licensing. I doubt it will go that far at all, but better safe than sorry. I would make sure your home is ready and that your paperwork is ready to be viewed.

Good luck. Try to relax. You know you didn't do anything wrong.