BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — A Central Bakersfield daycare has been cited by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) after a child received second-degree burns on her feet from walking on a rubber padded area of the outdoor play-ground without shoes on.
According to CDSS, on Wednesday, June 5, two teachers and the director at St. Paul's Child Development Center at St. Paul's Episcopal Church were preparing approximately six children to go outside for water play activities. According to one of the teachers interviewed by CDSS, some children had shoes on while some did not.
The teacher told CDSS that upon opening the classroom door, the children began to run outside. According to the teacher, ten seconds later, a child began to cry and scream, "Hot! Hot!"
The teacher told CDSS that she picked up the child and noticed the soles of her feet were pink. The teacher told CDSS that she reported the incident to the director.
According to CDSS, the teacher stated that when the director performed a health and safety check on the child, she noticed the child's feet were blistering. The teacher told CDSS first aid was administered and the child's parents were notified.
The director told CDSS that the child was taken to a doctor, where she was reportedly diagnosed with second degree burns to the soles of her feet.
The director stated to CDSS that prior to the incident, she informed her staff that they were to place shoes on all the children's feet before going outside.
23ABC reached out to CDSS who said they will provide comment on the matter at a later date.
