197493270-4-8-2026-58-CC-RNAO-DU7LDZ-20260518084044

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 197493270
Report Date: 04/02/2026
Date Signed: 04/08/2026 09:17:40 AM

Substantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO CC NORTH, 300 CONTINENTAL BLVD. STE 290A
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
04/01/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Tatiana Bickham

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 58-CC-20260401200800

FACILITY NAME:	WEVILLAGE VENTURA, LLC		FACILITY NUMBER:	197493270
ADMINISTRATOR:	BENINATI, KAREN		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	13335 VENTURA BLVD.		TELEPHONE:	(818) 233-8218
CITY:	SHERMAN OAKS	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	91423
CAPACITY:	24	CENSUS: 19	DATE:	04/02/2026
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	09:00 AM
MET WITH:	Karen Beninati		TIME COMPLETED:	04:20 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff left daycare child unattended.
Lack of staff supervision resulting in daycare child eloping from the facility.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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***THIS IS AN AMENDED REPORT WHICH SUPERSEDES THE PREVIOUS REPORT***
Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Tatiana Bickham and Christina Nunez conducted an unannounced complaint inspection on 04/02/2026 at 9:00 AM. LPAs met with Licensee/Director Karen Beninati to discuss the above allegation. At the time of arrival LPAs observed 19 children in care with 2 staff.

During today's inspection LPAs toured the facility and interviewed the Director and staff. LPAs also collected the children's roster, staff roster, sign in-out- sheets, took photos of the physical plant, collected parent and statements, and corrective acitve plan.

Per Reporting Party, lack of staff supervision resulting in daycare child eloping from the facility and staff left daycare child unattended.

The facility reported an unusual incident report that occurred on 03/30/2026 regarding a child eloping to
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Substantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Raul Navarro
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Tatiana Bickham
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 04/02/2026

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/02/2026

This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 58-CC-20260401200800

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO CC NORTH, 300 CONTINENTAL BLVD. STE 290A
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245

FACILITY NAME: WEVILLAGE VENTURA, LLC	FACILITY NUMBER: 197493270
	VISIT DATE: 04/02/2026

NARRATIVE

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***THIS IS AN AMENDED REPORT WHICH SUPERSEDES THE PREVIOUS REPORT***

the Department on 03/30/2026 via email. The facility reported the Unusual Incident within the required 24-hour time frame.

Per interview with the Director, at approximately 4:57 PM, Child 1 (C1) exited the building during pickup with a group of parents and children when a parent opened the door. C1 was found three doors down at a bubble machine located in front of a neighboring business by the child’s parent. According to the Director, the child was located within minutes by the child’s mother and was returned to the facility. The Director stated that C1 could have exited the facility independently, as C1 cannot reach the “Push to Exit” button. The Director also stated that based on accounts from parents present at the time, some parents observed a child leave but believed the child belonged to the parents who were exiting. Per the Director, since the incident the facility has conducted a staff training and implemented corrective measures to ensure the incident does not reoccur. LPAs observed the training agenda and sign-in-out sheets from the meeting.

Per staff interviews, staff stated that C1 was last observed on the playground, and they did not observe the child leaving the facility. Staff reported that once the last two children had been picked up, they realized C1 was missing and had not been signed out. Staff began searching for C1 when the parents returned with the child. Staff believe C1 exited at approximately 4:57 PM, as that was the time the last two parents left the facility. Staff reported that the parents returned with C1 at approximately 5:03 PM.

Per parent statements, multiple families were picking up their children before 5:00 PM, which is the designated pickup time. Parents reported observing a child lingering behind a woman with two other children and assumed they were together as they walked down the street and stopped at the bubble machine in front of the business.

Per interview with the business owner of Pure Heart, the owner stated that between approximately 4:30 PM and 5:00 PM they observed an adult woman with two minor children playing with the bubble machine in front of the business. The owner reported the woman and two children left and the other child stayed behind, shortly after they observed C1 run off toward an adult they believed to be their parent.

There are cameras located throughout the facility, but LPAs were unable to review footage. Per the Director, the DVR recording system was not functioning, and no video footage of the incident was available. The Director stated the DVR has since been repaired and is now fully functioning.

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SUPERVISORS NAME: Raul Navarro
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Tatiana Bickham
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 04/02/2026

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/02/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 58-CC-20260401200800

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO CC NORTH, 300 CONTINENTAL BLVD. STE 290A
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245

FACILITY NAME: WEVILLAGE VENTURA, LLC	FACILITY NUMBER: 197493270
	VISIT DATE: 04/02/2026

NARRATIVE

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***THIS IS AN AMENDED REPORT WHICH SUPERSEDES THE PREVIOUS REPORT***

Upon arrival, LPAs toured the facility. LPAs observed that entry requires being buzzed in through the front door. To exit the facility, a green “Push to Exit” button located on the wall must be pressed, this button is not within a child’s reach. The lobby is located at the front of the facility and behind the lobby there is a small door/gate with a lock on the outside. Behind this area is an open-concept classroom, followed by another small door/gate with a lock on the outside, leading to a classroom and a door to the playground.

LPAs measured the distance from the playground door to the business (Pure Heart) where the child was located. C1 traveled a total distance of approximately 265 ft 9 in. from the playground to the bubble machine in front of Pure Heart. C1 traveled on Ventura Blvd a total distance of approximately 143 ft 9 in. from the front of the facility to Pure Heart. Based on staff statements and facility documentation, C1 was without supervision from approximately 4:57 PM to 5:03 PM.

Based on the LPAs the staff interviews and parent statements, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation is found to be Substantiated. California Code of Regulations, Title 22 (code) is being cited on the attached LIC 9099D. A violation regarding absence of supervision warrants an immediate civil penalty of 500.00 and is hereby assessed, see LIC 421M.

A copy of this report shall be provided to the parent/guardian of children currently enrolled by the next business day or immediately upon return. A copy of this report shall also be provided to the parent/guardian of any newly enrolled children for the next 12 months (1 year). The Acknowledgement form must be maintained in each child’s file immediately upon receipt from parent. Licensee was provided with a copy of the parent Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Reports Form during this visit.

Exit interview conducted with Director Karen Beninati . A copy of this report and appeal rights were provided.

A "Notice of Site Visit" and copy of the report was issued. Notice of Site Visit must remain posted for 30 days. Failure to do so will result in a $100.00 civil penalty.

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SUPERVISORS NAME: Raul Navarro
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Tatiana Bickham
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 04/02/2026

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/02/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 58-CC-20260401200800

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO CC NORTH, 300 CONTINENTAL BLVD. STE 290A
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245

FACILITY NAME: WEVILLAGE VENTURA, LLC	FACILITY NUMBER: 197493270
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:	VISIT DATE: 04/02/2026

Deficiency Type POC Due Date / Section Number	DEFICIENCIES		PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A 04/03/2026 Section Cited CCR 101229(a)(1)	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	*THIS IS AN AMENDED REPORT WHICH SUPERSEDES THE PREVIOUS REPORT* (a) The licensee shall provide care and supervision as necessary to meet the children's needs.(1) No child(ren) shall be left without the supervision of a teacher at any time, except as specified in Sections 101216.2(e)(1) and 101230(c)(1).	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	Director and staff shall watch Race To The Top Video on Supervision and provide a statement stating what they would do differently after watching the video. Director must provide a sign in sheet for all staff that watched the video. https://ccld.childcarevideos.org/child-care-center-operators/
	8 9 10 11 12 13 14	Supervision shall include visual observation. This requirement was not met as evidenced by Director and staff statements stating a eloped the facility without their knowledge. This poses an immediate health and safety risk to children in care. Health and Safety Code 1596.99(c)(3) warrants an immediate 500.00 civil	8 9 10 11 12 13 14	penalty. (c) The department shall assess an immediate civil penalty of five hundred dollars ($500)..(3) Absence of supervision, including, but not limited to, a child left unattended, and supervision of a child by a person under 18 years of age.
Type A 04/30/2026 Section Cited CCR 101223(a)(2)	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	(a) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights: (2)To be accorded safe, healthful and comfortable accommodations, furnishings and equipment to meet his/her needs.	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	Correction was conducted during inspection conducted on 4/2/26.
	8 9 10 11 12 13 14	This requirement was not met as evidenced by Director and staff statements stating a eloped the facility without their knowledge. This poses an immediate health and safety risk to children in care.	8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Failure to correct the cited deficiency(ies), on or before the Plan of Correction (POC) due date, may result in a civil penalty assessment.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Raul Navarro
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Tatiana Bickham
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 04/02/2026

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/02/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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