A Long Island daycare worker pushed an 18-month-old into a cot, resulting in a bloody face and stitches.
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News12 reported that, citing Suffolk Police, Megan Marchena, 26, is facing child endangerment charges after her physical act against a young girl at Tutor Time Child Care and Learning Center. The incident happened on February 24. Thankfully, another employee was present to handle the situation.
Raven Griffin told the outlet what happened. Allegedly, the little girl kept getting up while she was supposed to be napping. Marchena, likely in an act of grave impatience, was seen by Griffin pushing the toddler back into the cot.
Harrowingly, "The last time she slammed her down, the little girl hit her mouth on the cot. After she hit her mouth, she started crying," Griffin attested.
Griffin rushed over to the girl. "There was blood gushing all down her chin out of her mouth," she recalled—a haunting and shocking image.
Toddler Hospitalized After Daycare Worker Gets Physical
The toddler was rushed to the hospital and received stitches. The current state of the child is unknown.
Four days later, on February 28, Child Protective Services were alerted of the incident. Police then arrested Marchena the same day. An investigation has been launched.
Marchena appeared in court where she pleaded not guilty. Before the trial, her lawyer, Chase Brown, sent a statement to News12.
He said, "My client is, at this point, is given every presumption of innocence. There is certainly a lot more to what happened here than what the DA's office has portrayed thus far. So, we look forward to getting all of our discovery that we are entitled to and putting forward a defense that will ultimately clear Megan of these allegations, cause that is all they are at this point."
She is due back in court on Thursday.
The outlet reported that other parents of toddlers who attend the daycare are "incredibly angry." Some parents aren't going to be bringing their child back to the daycare at all.
"He's not just my child, he's my everything," said Laurie Lucas, who won't be returning with her 1-year-old son.
