By KABC Staff
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INGLEWOOD, Calif. (KABC) — New video shows a day care worker throwing a shoe at a 5-year-old girl with special needs in Inglewood.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has launched an investigation into the video, which was shared on Facebook by a parent.
The video shows a woman at the Destiny Development Center removing her shoe and throwing it at the child.
The girl can be heard crying after being hit. The incident occurred on Jan. 16.
The day care’s director released a statement, which was shared on the center’s Instagram page, in which she apologized and said the staff involved have been fired.
You can read the full statement below:
“I wanted to begin by apologizing to the parent, the child in the video, who was abused and failed by the staff that were also in the class who are all entrusted caregivers of this student, and all of you who had to witness this traumatic experience,” she said in the video. “This video was also very hard for me and my supporting staff to watch. I understand the hurt, frustration, of the mother. I’m a mother, a Black mother, a Black educator.
During the interview with our previous employee – and continued employment – the staff never presented behaviors that … behaviors to this child or others in her care that would warn us to assume that she would harm a child. When we hire staff, we cannot predict that there may be a day that they’ll decide to abuse a child.
When we hire staff, we also can’t predict if the staff member will fail to report an incident when it occurs. However, every staff, every single one of them, is required to agree and train, before stepping foot into our school. As you can see here in the photo. As a business owner and the director of the center for the past 15 years, it is always, always, always been our number one priority to protect, love and train every child that walks through our doors.
Not once have we had an incident of this nature where a child was hit by a teacher until now. Upon receiving a report from the parent, actions were immediately taken the same day it was reported to ensure the safety of that child and every other child in our care. We conducted a thorough investigation, interviewing staff, getting verbal and written statements, and ultimately, watching hours upon hours of footage for outdoor area, indoor area, to pinpoint the date, time and event of what actually happened.
During this time, we continue to follow every required procedure by the state and update the parent of any findings. After viewing the very, very disheartening video footage, it was turned over to the state and they continue their investigation and a notice was updated and provided to the parent.
Just like the Caregiver Background Check bureau and Department of Justice can’t read the mind of a potential hire – neither can we. I really, really wish we could, but she was approved before stepping into my facility. So to answer some of the questions – no we don’t hire child abusers. No we don’t hire racist staff.
We do not – I repeat – we do not … we do not agree with the actions of the teachers. Yes, 100%, I love that little one – and her sister. They have been students for some time here in our school, and this was a safe place for them. I provided a shoulder for them. This would have never happened had I been in the classroom.
This would have never happened if some of my other staff had been in the classroom. We do not stand for abuse and neglect of a child of any kind. All staff have been terminated that were involved. As with every investigation, things take time upon finding evidence.
We have and will continue to follow rules and regulations as required as the investigation continues with the authorities that it has been handed over to. Again, we are deeply sorry.
And this is a terrible incident and it does not define our school. It does not define what we stand for. It does not define what I’ve taken 15 years to build. It does not define the character of who Destiny Development is and for our years of service that we have provided to the community and to the thousands of families that we’ve served over the years. So again, on behalf of Destiny Development Center, and myself as a director, we offer our sincere apologies to the parent, to the child, and may she get the justice that she deserves.”
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