Tag: Neglect
Snapchat Video Shows Florida Childcare Workers Bullying 8-Year-Old Autistic Boy as He Cries Under Table
Police in Florida are looking for two childcare workers accused of “berating, taunting and throwing a backpack” at an 8-year-old child with autism.
A Snapchat video captured 26-year-old Kaderrica Smith and 19-year-old Alexus Henderson terrorizing a boy at Our Children’s Academy in Winter Haven, according to police.
Smith is being charged with battery and child abuse and Henderson with child neglect.
The three-minute video shows the boy underneath a table crying as Henderson and Smith tease and yell at him, police say. At one point, one of the workers throws shoes and a backpack at the boy, according to police.
The video shows the child crawl out from under the table and start running around the room. When he runs at one of the workers, the woman allegedly grabs his arm and does a “leg sweep,” causing the boy to fall flat on his back.
Police say the video shows the boy reacting in “both a verbal and physical manner” as he is harassed.
According to an internal review, both Henderson and Smith said they felt they had acted appropriately and did nothing wrong.
Our Children’s Academy fired both workers, whose certifications are now on hold during the investigation, preventing them from getting another job working with children.
Police put out a warrant for their arrest after interviewing the boy last Friday, and are asking the public for help finding them.
Anyone with information is asked to call the anonymous tip line Crime Stoppers at (800) 226-TIPS (8477). Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.
Mother abandons 2 year old child after paying for groceries at a Riverside Food 4 Less
Riverside police are searching for a woman who they say intentionally abandoned her child at a Food 4 Less.
Authorities said around 5:55 p.m. Sunday, officers responded to the grocery store in the 4200 block of Van Buren Boulevard over reports of a child found. Investigators determined the mother had abandoned her 2-year-old daughter in the store.
In surveillance footage, the woman is shown entering the store with the child by her side. While inside, the toddler wanders off and the mother never looks for her.
The woman continues shopping and at one point, a Good Samaritan brings her the little girl. Authorities said the Good Samaritan was told to “just leave her.” The mother eventually abandons the little girl after paying for groceries, police said.
Police believe the mother intentionally left her child in the store. The young girl was able to identify her mother in surveillance footage, police said.
As of Monday evening, police said the little girl has not been reported missing and has been placed in the custody of Child Protective Services.
The mother is described as being between 20 and 30 years old, with dark hair. She may have tattoos covering portions of her right arm. She was last seen wearing a black or dark tank top and denim shorts.
Anyone with more information on the mother’s identity is urged to call Detective Paul Miranda at (951) 353-7945.
via: http://abc7.com/news/mom-abandons-toddler-at-riverside-food-4-less-police-say/1799416/