Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Manheim, Pennsylvania, a day care worker has been criminally charged with assault and endangering the welfare of a child regarding an incident that took place at the day care center – Small Freys Children Center. A 3 year old girl was placed in a time out. During the time out session, the child kept on turning her head. A day care center worker was not pleased with this conduct and “slammed” the girl’s head against the wall. While placing a child in a brief time out period can be appropriate, slamming the girl’s head against a wall is never appropriate. In fact, police in Pennsylvania have deemed this to be criminal conduct. The incident was witnessed by another day care worker.
When child abuse or neglect is witnessed or suspected at Pennsylvania day care center, the witness or person with knowledge of the abuse / neglect has a duty to report the incident to state officials. The child in this case was later treated at a hospital for a closed head injury.
The day care worker, Julie E. Iddings, age 26, will have the right to defend herself through the services of a Pennsylvania criminal attorney for such charges. The evidence against her will consist of the medical records, photographs of the injury, statements made by Ms. Iddings (if any), and the testimony of the witness to the incident. It was reported that Ms. Iddings received a one day suspension for the incident which seems to be minimal in light of the fact that criminal charges have been filed against her. You can read more about this incident at Pennsylvania Day Care Worker Charged with Assault for Slamming Child’s Head Against the Wall.