The presence of bed bugs at Poplar Bluff Head Start recently was confirmed by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, despite a Head Start official there initially denying the allegations.
According to Sarah O'Connor, chief public information officer at the state's health agency, the staff at Poplar Bluff Head Start -- Part Year Center, located at 405 Karen Drive, is currently working with the Division of Community and Public Health to exterminate the bugs.
O'Connor said no other reports of bed bugs at the facility had been received prior to this occurrence.
Head Start, which has a separate location at 1140 Herschel Bess Boulevard, is operated by the South Central Missouri Community Action Agency (SCMCAA). Based in Winona, Mo., agency director Ann Smith first told the Daily American Republic. "... we have no bugs," calling the allegations rumors started by disgruntled employees.
After the DAR followed up with confirmation from the state's health agency, Smith provided a statement detailing a timeline of events.
Smith said on Nov. 29, staff at the Karen Drive location reported finding four bed bugs on the floor where the children's backpacks had previously been sitting. After staff members reported the bugs to their supervisor, Smith said the Winona office was contacted for the procedures to follow in the case of a potential infestation.
Smith said the facility is typically treated by a pest control company. She did not specify which one. She said after learning about the potential bed bug situation, the SCMCAA was referred to a "professional company with certification in bed bug treatment.
"The company confirmed that what the staff had found were bed bugs. On inspection, the company did not find any further evidence of any bugs," Smith said.
According to her statement, the Poplar Bluff Housing Authority (PBHA) was notified of the bed bugs on Nov. 30 and on Dec. 1 the facility was treated. Smith said parents were notified on Dec. 1.
According to an official at the Poplar Bluff Housing Authority, which has apartments in close proximity to the Karen Drive center, it never received a report of bed bugs from Smith.
A source, who requested anonymity, said parents were not notified and teachers were threatened by officials at the Winona office that if they told anyone about the insects they would be fired. A response from Smith regarding the allegations was not received by press time.
Bed bug treatment is expensive and can cost thousands of dollars. According to the PBHA, which regularly treats bed bugs at its apartments, it can take up to six weeks and three treatments to resolve the issue.
"It's not something anyone wants to talk about," the PBHA official said.
Smith said on Jan. 9, two more bed bugs were seen, "Again, this was just after children had left the building."
She said the facility was treated a second time on Jan. 11.
"The company documented for us that they did not find any bed bugs, no infestation, and their treatment was only precautionary," said Smith, adding that notes were sent home a second time with the students.
Smith provided documentation via email by a representative from Terminix in Sikeston, Mo., dated Jan. 23. It said an inspection on Jan. 19 led to the discovery of no live insects.
According to Smith's statement, a health inspector visited the Karen Drive facility on Jan. 23. She reportedly "did not inspect any rooms and only spoke to the supervisor."
"No bugs have been found on our buses or at any other facilities," Smith said.
The SCMCAA is a not-for-profit organization serving the counties of Butler, Carter, Dent, Reynolds, Ripley, Shannon and Wayne, aiming to assist low-income residents in their efforts to become self-sufficient.