Cops: Southampton Day Care Workers Force-Fed, Injured Toddler
HAMPTON BAYS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- An East End family is seeking justice after two former day care workers allegedly injured and force-fed their 21-month-old daughter while under their care.
Sarah Dawber and Kathleen Culver, of Side By Side Child Care in Southampton were arrested in August on child endangerment misdemeanor charges after police received a phone call from Caroline and John Stella, whose daughter, Emerald attended the day care center, CBS2's Jennifer McLogan reported.
"How could they? What right do they have? They are supposed to be like a third parent, that's what day care is," Caroline Stella said.
The Bridgehampton parents thought the bruises on their daughter were caused by innocent toddler falls -- until they received a phone call from an aide at their child's day care center they said changed their lives.
"Just half way through her telling me I had to get off the phone with her, I couldn't even listen anymore, I called the police, I called my husband," Caroline Stella said.
The call triggered an investigation into Side By Side Child Care of Southampton and the eventual arrests of Dawber and Culver.
Police said Dawber and Culver force-fed the toddler, caused her to vomit, slammed down into a crib and threw her on the floor.
"What triggered them to do this to our child?" John Stella said. "We dont know. Were there other children? We believe so."
The Stellas said their daughter continues to suffer emotionally and psychologically. The family said they plan to sue the Town of Southampton, Suffolk County and the state for failure to inspect the facility.
William K. Polignani, their attorney, call the misdemeanor charges a 'whitewash.'
"They should have been charged with child abuse -- as a felony -- and then the grand jury could investigate thoroughly, bring in the owners and find out what they knew and when they knew it," Polignani said
Town of Southampton said a lawsuit against them would be baseless because the day care was independently operated.
State officials moved to revoke the day care's license shortly after the August arrests. The day care has been closed since the incident.
"Our daughter, she's the most precious thing in our lives," Caroline Stella said. "How could this happen?"
Dawber and Culver are expected to be back in court on Dec. 9.
