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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198400896
Report Date: 08/08/2025
Date Signed: 08/08/2025 04:14:24 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK SW RO, 1000 CORPORATE CENTER DR 200B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
05/15/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Andrea Carter
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 54-CC-20250515082903
FACILITY NAME:ACADEMIA MONTESSORIFACILITY NUMBER:
198400896
ADMINISTRATOR:BALGEMINO, JANICEFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:15110 STUDEBAKER ROADTELEPHONE:
(562) 474-1848
CITY:NORWALKSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
90650
CAPACITY:26CENSUS: 0DATE:
08/08/2025
ANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
01:15 PM
MET WITH:Janice BalgeminoTIME COMPLETED:
01:45 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff did not prevent child from being bitten multiple times by another child
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 08/08/25 at 1:15 PM Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) A. Carter conducted an Unannounced Complaint Inspection for the purpose of delivering findings for the above allegations. LPA announced purpose of inspection and was allowed entry into facility by facility representative Janice Balgemino. The facility is closed for in-service trainings and classroom preparation for new school year.

During the investigation LPA made observations, conducted interviews, and obtained records. Information gathered through interviews with witnesses indicate the facility failed to ensure a safe environment for an enrolled child bitten on five separate occasions by another child/children. While the incidents did occur, the staff made all possible attempts to prevent the incidents, which is a challenging situation given the developmental stage of the children involved.
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Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Denise Gibbs
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Andrea Carter
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/08/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/08/2025
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 1 of 2
Control Number 54-CC-20250515082903
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK SW RO, 1000 CORPORATE CENTER DR 200B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754
FACILITY NAME: ACADEMIA MONTESSORI
FACILITY NUMBER: 198400896
VISIT DATE: 08/08/2025
NARRATIVE
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The facility has a protocol for biting and implemented measures like shadowing, attempting to separate the children, and working with a third-party group called R.I.D.E. the repeated incidents show these strategies were ineffective and not enough to prevent the ongoing harm. This is a violation of the facility's responsibility to provide a safe environment for all enrolled children.

Based on the information gathered through the course of the investigation, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation(s) are found to be Substantiated.

There are no deficiencies cited today in accordance with California Title 22 Regulations.

The facility’s documented response was reasonable and aligned with established protocols.

Exit interview was conducted with Director, Janice Balgemino.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Denise Gibbs
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Andrea Carter
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/08/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/08/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 2