Two California daycare workers are accused of neglecting an infant whose skull was fractured and attempting to hide the child’s injuries.
Now, authorities are asking the public if any other children have been harmed. Police started their inquiry on September 4 after receiving a report of child abuse allegations from the Loma Linda University Medical Center Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office.
An 8-month-old boy had been taken to the hospital with a skull fracture after he had attended the Kiddie Academy daycare in Rancho Cucamonga, according to KABC-TV.
Investigators recently arrested 29-year-old Rudie Megan Maldonado and 50-year-old Felicia Ann Ferra on suspicion of child abuse, alleging that the pair neglected the boy and took steps to conceal the injuries, according to the sheriff’s office.
This week, Maldonado, an assistant teacher, was detained and booked into the Central Detention Center in San Bernardino and later released on $100,000 bail. Ferra, the director of the daycare, turned herself in to police.
The pair are now on administrative leave.
The daycare’s owners told KTLA-TV that they conduct background checks on employees. In a letter to parents, the owners said they are “disheartened” by the charges and are “committed to working with local authorities as they continue to investigate this matter,” according to the television station.
Multiple parents have since removed their children from the daycare.
“This is heartbreaking, for the parents and for the community, really. This is just horrible,” parent Stu Kelloff told KTLA-TV.
Police believe there could be additional victims. Anyone with information related to the case should call Deputy Roger Alfaro at 909-387-3615.
Anonymous tips can be made using the We-Tip hotline at 800-78-CRIME or www.wetip.com.
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[Feature Photo: Pixabay]
