Two mothers on Tuesday said that their children were injured by a person they trusted to care for them.
The mothers said that the alleged incidents happened at the KinderCare Learning Center, located at 4235 Kimberly Parkway on the east side.
KinderCare’s parent company told 10TV News that the teacher in question no longer works at the day care center, 10TV’s Chuck Strickler reported.
The two mothers said that the teacher’s removal was not enough, and they hope to pursue charges.
Shavonne Galloway said that her 2-year-old daughter, Amiyah, was forcibly thrown onto a cot and was kicked on the buttocks June 12.
“I would never think anyone would do anything to her,” Galloway said. “She’s so loving, sweet, caring, you know, she’s just Amiyah.”
Galloway said that her daughter was not seriously injured.
“I’m really upset it happened, really upset, angry, frustrated,” Galloway said. “She may not have any physical bruising or anything like that, but still, you know, you don’t put your hands on nobody else’s child, regardless if they won’t lay down during a nap or not.”
Mother Sheila Russ said that her 2-year-old daughter was struck on the head several times by the same caregiver on the same day last week, Strickler reported.
“I’m really angry, because I’d do anything for my kids,” Russ said. “I’d die for my kids, and it hurts me to know it’s happening at her day care.”
“The safety and security of the children in our care is our top priority and the acts alleged are unacceptable,” said Carey Kerns, who works in the corporate public relations department Of KinderCare Learning Centers.
Both the 2-year-olds continue to attend the day care.
“I still have this little question mark in my head, and that’s always going to remain with anybody having her, watching her, because you can’t control what other people do or how they will react,” Galloway said.
Both the mothers said that they planned to pursue child abuse charges against the former teacher, Strickler reported.
“Hopefully, after this, she won’t be allowed to go to work in other centers anywhere and won’t be allowed to harm anybody else’s child – period,” Galloway said.
No charges have been filed against the teacher accused of the alleged abuse.
KinderCare officials said that they reported the alleged incidents to authorities and are cooperating with the local investigation.
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