Brooklyn Daycare Shut Down Amid Allegations of Child Abuse and Neglect
A daycare center in Prospect Lefferts Gardens has been closed indefinitely after numerous allegations surfaced of child abuse and neglect. Parents claim that their children were physically mistreated, including being grabbed and tossed by an employee, while also eating lunch on the floor without proper supervision.
The closure came after a former employee sent videos to parents showing their children's alleged abuse, sparking outrage among parents who validated the footage. The daycare's owner, Shareese Dukes, has denied any wrongdoing, stating that she had taken "all necessary measures" after learning of the incident.
However, city officials say that the allegations are "horrific and unacceptable," and an investigation is ongoing to determine the extent of the abuse. Parents who once trusted the center claim that their children were enrolled in excess of the licensed capacity, with at least 14 children seen in a video taken during one session.
Critics are calling for stricter regulation and greater oversight of childcare providers in Brooklyn. Councilmember Crystal Hudson expressed her dismay, stating that parents do not expect such traumatic experiences when sending their children to daycare.
An attorney for the daycare center stated that an employee accused of abuse was immediately terminated, but questions remain about how the allegations were initially handled by management. As the investigation continues, officials are exploring whether they can issue fines or penalties despite the center's closure.
The case highlights a concerning trend in Brooklyn's childcare system, with many parents left feeling shaken and uncertain about their child's safety.
A daycare center in Prospect Lefferts Gardens has been closed indefinitely after numerous allegations surfaced of child abuse and neglect. Parents claim that their children were physically mistreated, including being grabbed and tossed by an employee, while also eating lunch on the floor without proper supervision.
The closure came after a former employee sent videos to parents showing their children's alleged abuse, sparking outrage among parents who validated the footage. The daycare's owner, Shareese Dukes, has denied any wrongdoing, stating that she had taken "all necessary measures" after learning of the incident.
However, city officials say that the allegations are "horrific and unacceptable," and an investigation is ongoing to determine the extent of the abuse. Parents who once trusted the center claim that their children were enrolled in excess of the licensed capacity, with at least 14 children seen in a video taken during one session.
Critics are calling for stricter regulation and greater oversight of childcare providers in Brooklyn. Councilmember Crystal Hudson expressed her dismay, stating that parents do not expect such traumatic experiences when sending their children to daycare.
An attorney for the daycare center stated that an employee accused of abuse was immediately terminated, but questions remain about how the allegations were initially handled by management. As the investigation continues, officials are exploring whether they can issue fines or penalties despite the center's closure.
The case highlights a concerning trend in Brooklyn's childcare system, with many parents left feeling shaken and uncertain about their child's safety.
This is absolutely horrific what's been going on at this daycare center. I can only imagine how scared those kids must have felt when they were being physically grabbed and tossed by an employee. And eating lunch on the floor without proper supervision? That's just basic neglect.
. I mean, can't you just trust that the people running these daycare centers are doing their job? Apparently not. I've got two younger cousins who go to daycare and I'm always worrying about them getting hurt or neglected. This Prospect Lefferts Gardens place is literally the worst example of what's gone wrong. 14 kids in a room with one staff member? It's like they're just winging it over there 
. And now parents have to deal with the trauma of their kids being abused and then finding out that the owners were doing NOTHING about it. Like, how do you even handle this kind of thing? I guess we need stricter regulations and better oversight, but like, where do we start? 
It's just so frustrating knowing that some places are putting our kids in harm's way without even realizing it...
oh man, this is so disturbing... I mean, who expects that at a daycare? 
it just makes me wanna question the whole system, like how can they let all these kids be in a situation where someone's just grabbing them around like that? 
and eating lunch on the floor without proper supervision? 
that's just crazy! 
shouldn't they be getting some kinda support or something?
this is a total nightmare for any parent, you're supposed to feel safe when your kid is at daycare, not traumatized... the fact that they were eating lunch on the floor like it was no big deal is just appaling 
It's just not right that some places are prioritizing profits over people and putting kids in harm's way.