WOODBRIDGE, Va. — A report by the Virginia Department of Social Services says two teachers at a child-care center routinely engaged in cruel treatment of toddlers in their care, including stepping on their toes and giving full pressure sprays from a water hose.
Prince William County Police say they have launched a criminal investigation of reported abuse inflicted at the Minnieland Academy at The Glen in Woodbridge.
The department investigated following a complaint. It cites cruel treatment over a six-month period this year by two staff members who were not identified by name.
According to the report, the two staffers encouraged fights among the toddlers in their care and dunked children known to be scared of water into wading pools.
Records of the violations posted on the social services website detail the allegations:
- “Since the Spring 2013, witnesses observing staff A and B pushing the toddlers, stick out their feet and tripping the toddlers, when toddlers were not wearing shoes, staff A would take them behind the diapering area and step on the toddlers toes. Witnesses reported that Staff A and B would find this humorous and entertaining.”
- “In March or April 2013, witnesses observed staff B opened the adjoining door to the older infant room and told the infant room staff that she had just fed several toddlers flaming hot cheetos and to look at the toddlers cheeks as their faces were turning red. Witnesses stated that the children had a ‘surprised’ look on their faces and and their faces were red and looked hot.”
- “Staff A and B were witnessed telling toddler A she was ugly and that her face and lips looked like a rat. Staff A and B would tell toddlers who had soiled their diapers to get away and that they stink.”(sic)
The story was first reported by insidenova.com.
Minnieland says it fired the teachers. In a statement on its Facebook page, the academy says others who witnessed the acts but did not report them also are no longer employed there.
See the full statement below:
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