The state Department of Social Services issued an order to a Pleasanton preschool, forbidding a certain teacher to work at the center because complaints about her tying up a toddler who refused to nap were "substantiated."
The letter, was sent Monday to Centerpointe Christian Preschool. The teacher no longer works at the school. According to the state order, she may no longer work at any licensed daycare facility in California. Regional Manager Barbara Bobincheck wrote that any contact or future contact with this teacher constitutes a "threat to the health and safety of the clients in care."
If Centerpointe refuses to comply, the state could then suspend or revoke its license.
The teacher had worked at the preschool in 2008, but left earlier this year. The teacher was identified in Department of Social Services documents as Angela Calcagno. Police have not arrested her, but confirmed to NBC Bay Area that they are investigating. NBC Bay Area is naming the teacher because of public safety issues regarding children identified in state documents.
The case came to light this week about the teacher binding a 2-year-old's feet and hands with masking tape when the child wouldn't nap. Documents obtained by NBC Bay Area show the incident may have happened anywhere between September 2012 and January. The teacher also allegedly took a photo of the situation, according to reports.
The napping incident was reported early this month when the teacher showed the photo to others, and the toddler's mother was one of people who saw the image. That mother - who is also a teacher at the preschool - went to Pleasanton police and to school officials.
"We are shocked and appalled," school spokesman Tim Hunt told NBC Bay Area on Monday night.
"It's deplorable to us that any person including the children under our care would in any way do something something so terrible as this incident. Children are made in the image of god and made to be fully respected," added Mike Barris, pastor at Centerpointe Presbyterian Church in Pleasanton.
On Tuesday morning, the preschool and church released a three-page statement detailing past violations citing four prior Class-A violations.
Some of those citations include:
- Oct. 12, 2012 Two violations in the same room during and unannounced annual site visit. Teacher left diluted bleach spray within reach of children and was briefly out of the room hanging art projects outside to dry. Response: Staff was retrained in procedures
- Jan. 24 Bleach and detergent was left on the floor in the laundry room. Also, on the same day, there was improper supervision in school-aged program when a 17- year-old was left in a supervisory role over children.
- March 7 Allegations that a former teacher taped a 2-year-old's wrists were substantiated by licensing. It is unknown when the violation took place. Centerpointe leadership learned of the incident on March 4.
In an unrelated, but similar case, Morgan Hill police on Tuesday said they arrested a teacher on child felony endangerment charges for allegedly adding a sleep aid in a toddlers' drink cups. The state licensing division is now investigating that, too.
For related stories:
State Investigates Pleasanton Christian Preschool Where Teacher Ties Up Toddler
Morgan HIll Daycare Teacher Accused of Putting Sominex in Drinks
NBC Bay Area's Terry McSweeney and Christie Smith contributed to this report.
Photo Credit: NBC Bay Area