Daycare cameras show kids tied to chairs, abused
A webcam apparently didn’t deter workers from allegedly mistreating kids at the Learn and Grow Depot Child Development Center, the Kansas City Star reported.
Toddlers at the Abilene, Kan., daycare operated by a hospital were tied to chairs during mealtime. One little boy was flung against the wall while he was tied to a chair, according to a report issued Tuesday from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. A preschool teacher was shown on video using her leg to hold a child on a nap cot and forcing the kid’s head down onto the cot face first. The report also noted that a girl was thrown under the sink with such force that she hit her head on the pipes. She was being punished for not being quiet during naptime.
State officials have suspended the license of the center, which served 122 kids and had been operated for about a year by Memorial Health System. A spokeswoman for Memorial Hospital, which is part of the system, said that the company “self-reported” the allegations. State officials say that’s not true; they found out from a parent. Police also are investigating and are examining the videotapes.
Betty Nebelsick told the Star that while viewing the webcam, she happened to spot her 16-month-old grandson tied to a chair on Nov. 25. She went to the center to pick him up, and they haven’t returned since. “That was enough for me,” she said.
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As the parent of a toddler who goes to a daycare center this disgusts me. My daycare luckily has 2 of my friends working there and about three of my friends kids attend there as well. I received good reviews about the center before I chose it. My advice for any parents out there is to make sure that they get reviews on the center, see if they have a “drop-in” policy, (where the parent is allowed to stop in at any time). I like MOST of my sons teachers although some just give me a weird vibe. This story is so heart wrenching, if the parents only knew what had been happening behind those closed doors all along….
I worked at a large daycare center before having children and I would personally not leave my children there if I was not working there. The teachers are overwhelmed with the number of children and rarely getting breaks. The lead teachers are working with assistant teachers who are, for the most part, uneducated and immature; usually in high school or recently graduated. I am definately NOT trying to defend this daycare - I think it is awful. But consider your options when finding care for your child. We as human beings are built to sense our surroundings. So if you feel uncomfortable or your child does not seem happy or changes behavior listen to this instinct!
I have experienced this trauma at a Center and a In-Home childcare setting. What’s a parent to do? This is so heart wrenching to read. Imagine the little souls involved who will forever be fearful for someone to hurt them again. I know how this can effect a child’s future. I hope these people get a little lesson in caring after they see the bars in their face. If their is no penalty for these people, that says we care nothing about our children who are in fact our FUTURE!! May love and comfort surround these families and peace be with them to move on from this.