Former Arizona teacher's aide accused of abusing preschoolers

Several parents are angered by a preschool program in northern Arizona, and they’ve filed a lawsuit against the facility and staff over allegations of child abuse.
The surveillance footage sent to FOX 10 shows a sample size of what happened in the classrooms by a specific teacher’s aide.
Four mothers are coming forward about what happened to their children.
The mothers all sent their kids to Chino Valley Head Start Childcare Center. The program is administered by the Northern Arizona Council of Governments - which serves children from zero to five years old in Apache, Navajo, Coconino and Yavapai counties.
Courtney Silva and Jessica Ouellet describe the red flags they noticed with their children.
"So red flags started coming up in my mind when they would call me probably at least once a week, if not more, telling me he's crying hysterically, saying his stomach hurts or he would have a fever or whatever the reason was, and I'd have to come get him during the day, and he was perfectly fine," Silva said.
Ouellet gives her side.
"I would go and try to wake her up and have her get ready for school. She was refusing and throwing a fit, when previously she was running out the door, excited, and anxious to leave. Then it was just like a switch. She just was fighting, going to school, throwing a fit. She started having bad dreams and, like, nightmares," she said.
Disclaimer: The kids' faces have been blurred and the families of the kids agreed for the footage to be used.
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[@teresacorley7874]

Any harm to a child by a adult should be a felony

[@ashleychildresss]

Yeah I agree. Idk why the hell it’s not already considered a felony.

[@elainejsta]

Stop dropping charges against child abusers. Before someone dies.

[@sandyirizarry3491]

The other women who are working there and saw the abuse, should be fired and held accountable.

[@candykizz3z68]

Forget the fact that she’s guilty .. HER COWORKER DIDN’T GIVE A DAMN EITHER ! They should’ve both been charged .

[@EmmaDee]

That lady is a step away from seriously hurting a child.

[@deniser45]

You mean killing a child

[@yennyzepol1983]

What bothers me about this is that this staff worker clearly has assaulted children at her previous place of employment. Because she was never charged she was allowed to get a job at another pre school and continue to assault more children. No one like this should ever work with small children.

[@pinkpugginz]

Why aren't charges brought the first time

[@yennyzepol1983]

@@pinkpugginz That is a very good question.

[@debbiethomas1529]

That place should be shut down, and that crazy animal should be in jail and anyone else who knew about what she was doing. That makes me sick.

[@emilywickler8871]

Head Start is a federal program. I worked 31 years in a Texas Head Start Program. The abuse from this woman is appalling. If this center is federally funded, someone better seek removal of funds permanently. Personally, I would like 5 minutes with the woman in the video. Another 5 minutes with her coworkers in the room. 31 years of classroom assistant for me, retired two years ago. Just 5 minutes is all I need.

[@vm51photo]

@@emilywickler8871and if you need more time, let me know and I’ll guard the door. 😡

[@miriamgourley6278]

What about the other "teacher" in the video. There's a nation wide mandatory reporting law requiring anyone working with children to report incidents like this to authorities. In the videos, she walks around her (the offending "teacher") to give her space. Not once did she intervene. She's accountable too

[@justinlumfox10]

She is being sued as well per the lawsuit.

[@debbieborjal2546]

She shouldn't be around children!

[@lisasmith6000]

Why would they keep an employee like that. She just simply should not be working with kids.

[@dawnvarty657]

It disturbs me that Yavapai didn't want to press charges. An adult victim of battery would not have been ignored that way.

[@flowerpower3618]

Kids don’t need preschool , they need good parents that interact with them.

[@MeltedPearls]

If a parent laid hands on a kid like in any of these instances, you can't tell me they would not face a case.

[@SweetT601]

This makes my blood boil grrrr

[@furyspec]

Why do they always say accused, when we literally see video evidence of her committing the crime.

[@vantata399]

She has to be legally charged or the suspect might try and sue them.

[@ashleychildresss]

And this is exactly why I stay home with my kids. Yes we struggle on only one income it is very hard and I’m so thankful I have family who helps a little but I’m not risking my babies getting hurt or worse while in someone’s care. I trust no one with my babies! ❤

[@mmdiane]

This abuser has been doing this for years.

[@LisaKayOGQueen]

Poor babies.

[@GoodWillPrevail]

This lady should face legal penalties and the daycare shut down.

[@JenniferFinley-cu2qm]

I hope this Stewart lady doesn't ever work around children, elderly, nobody!! I'd press charges and the DA should indict this woman, that's felony charges....stand up for our children 😡

[@ReBrink]

Disgusting

[@papabear2515]

Children should never never be hit by anyone

[@trishahines1298]

Time for the parents to solve the problem on their own with vigilant justice since our justice system lets these demons abuse children with no prosecution!!! You could damn sure bet had it been the prosecutor child being abused they would have been charged and convicted of felony child endangerment at the very least!!!

[@crystalsswtor3760]

Why are you even working there?

[@Nyx0npaws]

Many power hungry, sadistic and narcissistic people work with special needs children or children in general.. it's gross, but children are not valued in the US

[@Nyx0npaws]

No one believes children, often kids don't know it's okay to " tattle " on an adult

[@robertshrewsbury5067]

This is a chronic pattern of emotionally inflamed abuse. It is a serial pattern, as it happened at more than one location. That the kids have regressed behavior and require counseling says how bad it was over the time, of their own personal attacks and seeing other kids abused without check. The adults were not protecting them, and that trauma, of not being protected is a lifelong damage potentially.

[@cdelane3335]

This woman is a nut! She deserves jail, and the owners should be shut down. I don't believe for 2 seconds, a jury would see all that and not convict her of assault.

[@user-CharityFFForever]

I had some horrible abusive teachers as a child that would humiliate me and make me cry over homework not being done.

[@lauralee9694]

Hi Justin, good reporting on a hideous case.

[@deborah3912]

If at all possible don't send you children to daycare centers

[@Autisticbanmeforbeingdifferent]

Not everyone has the luxury of staying home and raising kids

[@angiehayes7397]

​@Autisticbanmeforbeingdifferent she said "if possible", but you are correct, not all have the means.

[@dianarockwell6256]

This is why I have always said we as a people, including our justice system, do not value our children.

[@BelleWhittington]

Oh, hell no. I had to stop watching this.

[@poobsy76]

Parents need to stop sending their children to these centers where they warehouse children. I have worked in licensed child care centers for over 20 years. (Including Phoenix, AZ) EVERY CENTER I worked in there was yelling and humiliation. Ive seen "teachers" spray Lysol over a group of children because someone passed gas.

[@teagarden874]

I hope you reported what you witnessed.

[@333alybaby]

Spraying chemicals on children !! Just put them in time out send them to another room or the office why spray chemicals poisons on babies and just for passed gas wow.

[@kateruterbories2692]

Do NOT allow someone else raise your children.

[@Bebedollie]

Thank u !!! Exactly 💯

[@Esther-lm6pm]

Some of us don't have the luxury of staying home with the kids.

[@deescott8312]

A big no no.

[@createone100]

Why is there so much sick and aberrant crime in your country?

[@angiehayes7397]

It's world wide dear!!

[@honeylove4983]

THIS is the very reason I did not put any of our 4 children in daycare. My husband went through a very similar and traumatic experience while he was young in daycare, he’s now 41 and it still haunts him. It’s something he will never forget and unfortunately he now has PTSD from it.

[@happyheidi747]

Those poor children 😢

[@christananavarro8257]

I’m so sorry.

[@fortyarpent]

Absolute immunity they want? ABSOLUTELY NO!!

[@HG-ol1tq]

This is absolutely gut wrenching. Her behavior is disgusting. Shouldn't be around anyone's kids.

[@gilla2092]

I worked with kids for many years, eldest of seven, and i am on the autistic spectrum. Never once harmed a child... if anything, id like to see this woman for a few moments.. id put the fear in her that she actively projected around those babies in that time

[@angiehayes7397]

I worked in child care for many years & I promised myself that when i had children, they would NEVER step foot in ANY daycare! EVER!!

[@bigbadbubba099]

This is going on too much all over.And the people who own these places are hiding it.😢

[@1NOIAM]

Enough.

[@user-os4fl4zj7d]

My advice to aide, Don't stand still outdoors and any approaching mob is likely for you.

[@brookebowen6522]

My son broke his leg at daycare when he was 2. They said he was climbing on a bookshelf. After seeing videos like this, it makes me wonder if there was more to the story

[@karenfisher7808]

She should have been in jail from the previous abuse charge or allegations that they knew about and they hired her anyway putting other children at risk

[@teresaesquivel2040]

Dcs where are u doing nothing

[@chantelcuddemi7646]

That's awful!

[@teresacorley7874]

The whole daycare should be charged rhier all mandated reporters they know better they all need to be chargedand closed down and not allowed to work in any child care position or even with adults 5:19

[@GK-arcadia]

There were other adults nearby witnessing these abusive acts, and no one said anything???

[@marilynmroe9077]

Th4 fact she was employed with children after her previous record is absurd in the first place!

[@CB-kj8ed]

This horrible woman! And with cameras there. Cameras aren’t doing anything to prevent abuse.

[@MariaFletcher-bf5pk]

What a cow. this is unforgivable. she be either in hospital or six feet under.

[@carolynrobinson6110]

Why was this woman not charged with child abuse. 😮 this is just sad 😔

[@blessedfire365xgf]

God save our children 😢

[@simplyme6558]

All I can say is they’re sooo much better at controlling their emotions than I am! I’d be in jail!!!!!!

[@clairebear1808]

Omg moms 😢 how devastating 🤗😘🙏🏻

[@Bebedollie]

There is soooo much evil in this world because we are in the last days and its only going to get worse . 🙏

[@Mason-ci8gj]

She's a big bully!! I'd be outraged 😮

[@deborahglaves7434]

She has to go to Jail. Don't keep dropping charges. Ignore the police. It's the courts to decide what punishment she gets. The Judge will make sure she will get whot she deserves.They need to check on her children at home as well.She's dangers.

[@clairebear1808]

Moms big hugs 🥰 don’t get down on yourselves it is not a reflection on you. God love you 🙏🏻

[@tonilong3624]

What are THE OTHER ADULTS actually thinking when no one stops her.....she was given FREE REIGN to abuse these children.....Stop having children if your not going to stay at home and raise them yourself....NO BODY WILL EVER look after your child the way you do....🙏

[@missspell4897]

She’s just a bad person who’s has a miserable life and want to cause physical harm. The children aren’t even being naughty.

[@catherinebridges4096]

Wow‼️💔😢

[@rhondasisco-cleveland2665]

Someone should “teach her how to act”!

[@wesleyc.4937]

That ain't no head start.

[@jenniferporter7355]

There was another adult in that room in the video she should have been fired also

[@Nyx0npaws]

Most schools hide things like this and bringing things like this up is seen as unprofessional

[@maryparis576]

Then keep your demons at home

[@martinboyle9163]

This was commonplace when I was a child. For me, it was from nuns and people who worked in the church. Sad.

[@BobbyJames-fv9tn]

Yeah I know you guys are talking about this lady and and showing all the abuse that she has done but at the same time there is another person standing there you said this person is the teacher's aide so I'm assuming that other person is the teacher they also need to be reprimanded fired jailed whatever it is because they're standing there watching this abuse happen and doing nothing about it that is also a crime

[@diatribe1194]

SHE POISONED THEM WITH THE SPRAY....

[@TikaAdhikari-qj6me]

And this is a Head Start program?! C'mon, give me a break...

[@clairebear1808]

Immunity are you kidding me? I suffer a lot of issues but CPTSD is the hardest to deal with. These children will fight their whole lives battling it. 😢

[@jilliansherrard2152]

My preschool teachers…one of them and my first grade teacher would be in jail…but it was the 80 s….

[@mariemurphy1291]

I hate to say this but I have seen a lot of these stories lately and if the law and the Justice systems keep failing these children and these parents maybe the parents need to take this into their own hands trust me if that was my child I would be the one in handcuffs

[@angiehayes7397]

Damn skippy!!

[@adriennem7927]

I cant even watch or listen. Ive seen and heard bad th I ngs at a day c are.. not hitting but very, very unprofessional things done and said bcuz they dont have the patience or care about particular kids, and/or their parents. I got fired, of course, the whistle blower. They said i spent too much time in bathroom. 😅😅 jerks they.were.

[@robertstoddard3626]

Back in the 1950s and 60 when we got in trouble in school we would be sent to the principles office in fist grade and we would be disciplined with a wooden paddle on the behind

[@YaYaPaBla]

😡😡😡

[@eliazruis4761]

Immunity is a joke! You break the law, you pay the consequences.

[@lilianareyes9594]

I talk to my son always. Oooh I wishhhhh

[@bobbieabell3359]

But I'd the mothers put their hands on jer they would be in jail.

[@RSKLove]

Corporal punishment is still legal. Don’t like it, take it off the books. Also, don’t choose an occupation you can’t do professionally.

[@dicey8928]

Maybe for parents not childcare workers plus they children weren't harmed in this video but I imagine she's very capable of hurting kids in the future

[@dicey8928]

Maybe for parents not childcare workers plus they children weren't harmed in this video but I imagine she's very capable of hurting kids in the future

[@AD59669]

Corporal punishment? The lady sprayed little toddlers' eyes on purpose. You can see it on the video. She wasn't happy with spraying one child, and she went on the spray the little girls face. Pulling someone from the mattress is not corporal punishment. A spank is corporal punishment. Abusing little toddlers that can't fight, that F*t B*!!!

[@RSKLove]

@@dicey8928, not maybe for parents. It’s definitely for teachers too. The specifics are vague, but the black and white is there to figure out when it finally comes up in the courts.

[@dicey8928]

@@RSKLove so you think nobody should hit children as in the UK law

[@catherinebridges4096]

If She Is Not Charged She Will Do It Again. Either In Another Day Care Or GOD Forbid Open Her Own‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️

[@Webbit]

When my lil cousin was a kid, around 4, a daycare worker bit his finger. They called my cousin, his mom and she was angry. In my mind I was thinking why we weren’t going up there to put hands on the daycare worker. I’m trying to get pregnant now, and I will go to jail gladly if someone touches my kid in a bad way.

[@user-nt6ov1il2n]

I am sorry, the hand spank was not abusive. it caught the attention of the kid. But spraying toxic cleaner is abusive. Pulling a kid;s head back is abusive.

[@LoremLipsumz]

No need to EVER lay hands on a child. Especially as a child care worker. There are SO many ways of getting the attention of a child. This woman clearly hates children.

[@user-nt6ov1il2n]

@@LoremLipsumz actually I ,agree with you, but sometimes a quick smack on the bottom is really necessary/ have you ever had a child in flat out hysterics?

[@deniser45]

You don’t smack someone else’s child. It is abuse that child might come from a home that doesn’t use that type of punishment think about it.

[@angiehayes7397]

​@@deniser45or from a home where they are already being abused 😢

[@jim_ward]

I saw no child abuse.

[@kellysteele4311]

Your 2,3 and 4 year Olds have zero reason to be inhead start. Quit handing you babies over for others to teach abc's , 123's shapes and colors

[@et1016]

Perhaps caregivers should stay home and raise their children.

[@createone100]

Where is this ideal world for women that you imagine? I’d like to visit it some day.

[@emilylitchko9414]

Kids are resilient. Yeah she was a little rough. But therapy and ptsd? Give me a break. Dramatic parents probably have dramatic children.

[@ronnierowe1312]

This is not abuse!

[@babeena_gt_3645]

What would you call it then?

[@teresaesquivel2040]

​@@babeena_gt_3645he's gonna be calling the cops wen I'm done

[@babeena_gt_3645]

@@teresaesquivel2040 🤔

[@teresaesquivel2040]

@@babeena_gt_3645 if she can do assault on video why cNt I hit her on video the police are a joke

[@SweetT601]

So spray cleaner in a kids face is normal in your eyes? Hopefully you don’t have kids.

[@tracysue1176]

Why wasnt the teacher saying something to someone ? I worked for headstart and a lady that i worked with was roughing up kids and always made sure she was out of camera sight. I asked my head teacher if she saw it too and she said yes , so i went and told on her . We watched video , they called her in right away and fired her .

[@Fugubro754]

Lame