Friday afternoon lifeguards at the Roman Forest swimming pool called Roman Forest City Administrator Liz Mullane of concerns of a day care group at the pool. The guards reported that the teachers of the ABC123 Daycare Center had several children ages 5 and 6 that were fighting in the pool. The teachers put them in time out and forced the toddlers to sit on the red clay brick edge of the pool with their feet in the water. Knowing that it was 98 degrees outside and the red brick had to have been a lot hotter, Mullane immediately responded to the poll and also notified Roman Forest Police to respond.
When she arrived she met with the day care director Pat Elkins who was also called and responded to the scene.
Elkins admitted the children were forced to be put in time out and sit on the edge of the pool with their feet in the water. She said some of the teachers were also splashing water on them. Mullane said, “the pavement was hot and could burn somebody’s skin let alone their wet little bottoms”.
After talking with police and the city administrator it was determined no charges would be filed. Mullane, however did state that the teachers were informed they could no longer punish the children in that manner and the teachers needed more responsibility in watching the children and not putting the burden on the lifeguards.
The lifeguards at Roman Forest have been responsible for 3 saves already this year.
