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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 376700122
Report Date: 07/03/2025
Date Signed: 07/03/2025 01:11:23 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVERSIDE SE CC RO, 3737 MAIN STREET, STE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
04/23/2025 and conducted by Evaluator William M Chancellor Jr.
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 10-CC-20250423114835
FACILITY NAME:CHILDREN'S PARADISE INC. - MELROSEFACILITY NUMBER:
376700122
ADMINISTRATOR:LEANNE SPARKSFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:145 N, MELROSE DR. STE 100TELEPHONE:
(760) 724-5600
CITY:VISTASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92083
CAPACITY:126CENSUS: 80DATE:
07/03/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
12:30 PM
MET WITH:Leanne Sparks, DirectorTIME COMPLETED:
01:15 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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1. Facility staff did not properly supervise children resulting in child sustaining a fracture.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On July 3, 2025, at 12:30PM, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) William Chancellor made an unannounced visit to Children’s Paradise: Melrose and met with Director Leanne Sparks to deliver the findings of a complaint investigation. The complaint, received on April 23, 2025, alleged that staff failed to properly supervise children, which resulted in one child (C2) sustaining a fractured finger after another child (C1) dropped a large rock on it.

LPA conducted a tour of the facility on April 29, 2025, at 9:15 AM, took a census of children in care, interviewed seven staff members, made observations, and reviewed relevant records. Staff interviews revealed that just before the incident, C1 had been aggressive with two other children, including pulling hair and putting their arms around a peer’s neck. At the time of the rock incident, staff stated they were focused on protecting the other children and writing an injury report. One staff member was entering the playground and recording names on a whiteboard as part of end-of-day procedures. No staff witnessed C1 pick up the rock before the injury occurred, but it was confirmed C1 was holding the rock afterward.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Pauline Beschorner
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: William M Chancellor Jr.
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/03/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/03/2025
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 3
Control Number 10-CC-20250423114835
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVERSIDE SE CC RO, 3737 MAIN STREET, STE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
FACILITY NAME: CHILDREN'S PARADISE INC. - MELROSE
FACILITY NUMBER: 376700122
VISIT DATE: 07/03/2025
NARRATIVE
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A review of records showed that C1 was supposed to have a behavior plan that included one-on-one support and specific interventions, such as adult modeling and prompts. However, all staff confirmed that C1 did not have a one-on-one aide present during the incident, and no staff were directly supervising C1 at that moment.

Based on the interviews and records reviewed, it was determined that the allegation is substantiated. The facility failed to provide proper care and supervision as required by Title 22, Section 101229(a), which poses a potential risk to children in care.

A citation was issued, and a copy of the report, including appeal rights, was given to Director Leanne Sparks. A Notice of Site Visit was also provided and must be posted publicly for 30 days.

An exit interview was conducted and a copy of the report, along with the appeal rights were provided to Director, Leanne Sparks. A notice of site visit was provided and must remain posted for 30 consecutive days in a prominent place visible to the public, families and guardians.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Pauline Beschorner
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: William M Chancellor Jr.
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/03/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/03/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
Control Number 10-CC-20250423114835
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVERSIDE SE CC RO, 3737 MAIN STREET, STE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501

FACILITY NAME: CHILDREN'S PARADISE INC. - MELROSE
FACILITY NUMBER: 376700122
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 07/03/2025
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Request Denied
Type B
08/01/2025
Section Cited
CCR
101229(a)
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 Responsibility for Providing Care and Supervision: The licensee shall provide care and supervision as necessary to meet the children's needs. This requirement was not met as evidenced by …
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By COB, Director will email LPA a training agenda collaborating with Department of Mental Health to develop a training on: Nerodiverse children and classroom management. Additionally, Director will include a staff-sign in of all attendees.
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Based on confidential interviews and a review of records, it was confirmed that facility staff did not meet the child 1 (C1) individual needs, resulting in Child 2 (C2) sustaining a fracture. The facility failed to follow C1’s behavior plan, which required close supervision to prevent incidents like this from occurring. This lack of supervision poses a potential risk to the safety and well-being of children in care.
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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: Pauline Beschorner
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: William M Chancellor Jr.
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/03/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/03/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
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