A Florida day-care teacher has been fired after a mom complained about her toddler son coming home with a warning about diapers written in marker on his belly.
The mother of the child, Heather Chisum, posted images of her 18-month-old Milo on Monday, with his belly exposed, showing the smeared marker that read: “Mom I’m out of diapers pls read my report.” Chisum said Milo and her 3-year-old Finley attend Children’s Education Center of the Islands on Sanibel Island. She said the teacher left a note in her son’s report the previous day about diapers, but she might have missed it.
“I change his diaper this afternoon AND SEE THIS WRITTEN ON MY SON WITH MARKER. You can’t even see all of it in the pic.. it says,” Mom I’m out of diapers pls read my report”. I’ve scrubbed it with several baby wipes and it’s not coming off...In the very worst case scenario, I can’t see anything other than “need diapers” needing to be written. Why a big long message needed to be written across my sons stomach is beyond me.”
The center's director announced Tuesday the teacher had been fired because writing the note on the child was a breach of professional ethics, according to the News-Press.
“We are aware of the incident at the school, and we are terribly sorry for the distress it has caused the family involved as well as all of our families. It was a breach of our professional ethics on the part of the teacher,” said Cindy Carter DeCosta, executive director.
A spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Children and Families said the agency would investigate the incident. Officials with the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida in nearby Fort Myers said the day-care worker’s actions were unacceptable. The coalition oversees and contracts low-income education centers including the Sanibel center.
“No way, no how is this appropriate,” said Susan Block, CEO of the coalition.
Despite the school taking action, Chisum told the newspaper she was not sure if her children would return. She planned to take off work for the week to locate a child-care alternative. Chisum’s Facebook post about the incident has been shared more than 30,000 times. She also got hundreds of responses from strangers appalled by the teacher writing on her child.
Shannon Brubaker Valentine wrote, "This makes me sick to my stomach! What type of person would ever think this is okay?! I saw all the news trucks as i picked up Waylon today and was wondering what in the world?! Which teacher was it? I'm so sorry this happened but I'm so happy you spoke up!"
Jade Dennison commented: “I am not even a mother and this is NOT okay. NOT okay. You have every right to pop off momma. I’m sorry this is not okay.”
Chisum said she appreciated the support.
“I’m overwhelmed with the amount of attention this has received,” she said. “People and news stations from all over the country reaching out to me to offer their condolences and support. I want to say I’m thankful for all of you.”
About the Author
