3 daycare workers indicted for alleged child abuse and strangulation
By Erin Rosas
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FRANKLIN COUNTY, Kentucky (WLEX) — A Franklin County grand jury has indicted three daycare workers on 30 criminal counts involving the abuse and strangulation of multiple children in their care, according to court documents filed February 10.
The indictment revealed that 48-year-old Constance Perry of Lawrenceburg faces the most serious charges, including seven counts of first-degree strangulation and 13 counts of first-degree criminal abuse of children 12 and under.
In addition, 62-year-old Jenny Weeks of Frankfort, and 38-year-old Lauren Owens of Frankfort are charged with facilitating strangulation and failing to report child abuse, the indictment reported.
On Friday Feb. 13, Perry entered a not guilty plea during an arraignment. Both Owens and Weeks are set to be arraigned next week.
LEX 18 News found that Weeks was listed as the registered agent for Great Beginnings Child Care, LLC in Frankfort on the Secretary of State’s website until Jan. 1.
The charges reportedly span incidents from June 2019 through January 2026, involving at least seven children identified by initials in the indictment. Perry is accused of strangling children by applying pressure to their throats or necks, or blocking their noses or mouths. All three defendants are charged with criminal abuse that allegedly caused serious physical injury or placed children in situations that could cause serious harm.
Weeks and Owens face additional charges for failing to report suspected child abuse to law enforcement or state authorities, despite having reasonable cause to believe children were being abused.
The indictment noted the alleged abuse occurred “in a continuing course of conduct, two or more times” within the specified time periods for each count.
Each defendant was assigned a $10,000 bail, and have now bonded out. Perry faces Class B and Class C felony charges, while Weeks and Owens face a combination of felony and misdemeanor charges.
LEX 18 News also discovered from the state’s childcare provider database that Great Beginnings Child Care, LLC is listed as being “monitored by the Division of Regulated Child Care (DRCC) for regulatory compliance. DRCC has initiated action against the license/certificate (Denial, Suspension, Revocation).”
In addition, LEX 18 obtained a Directed Plan of Correction Agreement from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services issued to Great Beginnings Child Care, following two complaint investigations.
The facility, the document read, must implement immediate corrective measures or face license revocation.
“The licensee, director, and/or staff in charge will assure the health, safety, and comfort of each child within care of the child care center,” the state order states.
Great Beginnings Child Care must create written policies regarding appropriate behavior management by Feb. 13. All staff members must receive copies of these policies, and newly hired employees will receive training upon hire, according to the document.
Further, the facility must also establish abuse and neglect reporting procedures. All staff working directly with children must complete three additional hours of training in health, safety, appropriate discipline techniques, and abuse reporting by March 9. The state will conduct more frequent inspections for at least three months to monitor compliance, the cabinet reported. Parents of children in care have been notified that the facility is operating under a directed plan of correction.
The agreement remains in effect until the facility satisfactorily fulfills all requirements or receives written notice from state regulators that the plan has been lifted. Failure to comply could result in license revocation.
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