A 33-year-old Bloomington woman was arrested on Monday, Oct. 5, following a comprehensive police investigation into an infant injury at a local daycare facility. According to court documents and a report from the Indiana Department of Child Services, the suspect faces serious felony charges stemming from an incident that occurred on Sept. 28 at You’ve Got A Friend in Me daycare, located at 840 W. 17th St.
The suspect has been charged with Level 5 felony counts of battery resulting in injury to a child less than 14 years old and neglect of a dependent. The initial investigation began after the Indiana Department of Child Services alerted the Bloomington Police Department regarding an injury sustained by a 1-year-old boy while under the facility’s supervision.
Surveillance Footage Captures Crib Incident
According to court filings, surveillance camera footage from the daycare captured two employees attempting to help the 1-year-old boy fall asleep by rocking his crib. Video evidence shows one employee sitting on the floor while forcefully jerking the large wooden crib back and forth while the infant lay on his stomach with his head raised.
Investigators stated that the worker forcefully pushed the crib away before jerking it back suddenly, causing the structure to break apart in the middle. The infant subsequently fell through the bottom of the broken crib and could be heard crying on the recording. Court documents indicate that the employee picked up the infant, placed him on the floor behind her, and then focused on tending to the broken crib.
Daycare Owner and Staff Responses
The owner of You’ve Got A Friend in Me daycare informed police that gently rocking cribs was an approved method used to help children settle down for sleep. However, after reviewing the surveillance footage of the incident, the owner immediately fired the employee.
Additionally, the owner supplied investigators with security footage showing the same worker handling the infant roughly, including instances where the child was allegedly thrown from one side of the crib to the other. When interviewed by police, other daycare staff members reported witnessing troubling behavior from the suspect, including yelling at children, striking them with cribs and playsets, and attempting to trip running children after directing them to stop.
Wider Context of Child Safety Concerns in Bloomington
This arrest highlights ongoing local scrutiny regarding child supervision and safety standards in Monroe County. Law enforcement and social services continue to review the circumstances surrounding the daycare’s operations at the 840 W. 17th St. location as the legal proceedings advance.
The suspect remains presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, and the investigation remains active under the supervision of the local prosecutor’s office.
Key Details of the Investigation
- Date of Incident: September 28
- Date of Arrest: Monday, October 5
- Location: You’ve Got A Friend in Me daycare, 840 W. 17th St., Bloomington
- Charges: Level 5 felony battery (injury to child under 14) and neglect of a dependent
- Victim: 1-year-old boy
