Two South Carolina daycare teachers face multiple charges for allegedly ordering 3- and 4-year-old children in their care to fight each other and “allow[ing] let the violence continue without correction,” police said.
Ericka Jones, 27, and Serena Caldwell, 56, employees of Kids Unlimited of Prosperity daycare, turned themselves in to authorities Thursday after warrants were issued for their arrest, according to the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office .
Both are charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and unlawful conduct toward a child, according to the department’s news release Friday.
Jones faces 14 charges on each charge, while Caldwell faces 15.
Daycare owner John David Dawkins wrote in a statement provided to local outlet WIS-TV that Jones and Caldwell were “immediately fired” after staff reported their behavior and security footage was viewed.
The facility immediately notified the South Carolina Department of Social Services and the Newberry County Sheriff’s Department.
Sheriff Lee Foster told WLTX that the daycare had fully cooperated in their subsequent investigation.
Investigating officers discovered that the two women ordered the children to push, pull and hit each other, according to the outlet.
Ericka Jones faces 14 counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and unlawful conduct toward a child. Newberry County Sheriff’s Office Serena Caldwell and Jones turned themselves in to authorities Thursday after warrants were issued for their arrest. Newberry County Sheriff’s Office
Foster told WLTX that the behavior “started with [Caldwell and Jones] saying that the teacher had encouraged other students or other daycare clients to use violence to try to punish a child or make another child obey.”
“I have no idea what the two daycare workers were thinking; it was just abhorrent behavior,” Foster continued. “I just can’t imagine why you would do this.”
A total of 14 children were involved, Foster said; according to WLTX they were between three and four years old.
The facility immediately notified the South Carolina Department of Social Services and the Newberry County Sheriff’s Department. News 19 WLTX/YouTube A total of 14 children were involved, Foster said; according to WLTX they were between three and four years old. News 19 WLTX/YouTube
Although neither suffered serious physical injuries, Foster said, it has yet to be seen “how much emotional or psychological damage could have been caused by this.”
A father of one of the victims, whom WLTX did not name, testified that his son was told to hit another child and then told to do it again.
Foster told WIS-TV that the two women were “dishonest employees” and that the department does not believe the daycare was complicit in their behavior.
A mother of one of the victims told the outlet that she did not believe the problem was systemic and said she “hates.”[d] that these two women in a way tarnished the name of this daycare center.”
“But at the same time, I’m glad they found out and that they’re going to have to get justice. But at the end of the day, there is no true justice because how do you get that out of a child’s head? the woman asked. “You’ve altered his life.”
Categories: Trending
Source: vtt.edu.vn