Credit: Chris English/NewtownPANow.com
A former preschool employee has been hit with criminal charges after security camera footage captured her handling a 2-year-old boy roughly, dropping him onto a mat, and pushing his head down, according to court papers filed by Newtown Township police.
Erin Elizabeth Burke, 28, of Newtown Borough, was charged last Thursday with endangering the welfare of a child and simple assault following an investigation and consultation with the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office.
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Township police began investigating the Newtown Discovery Preschool on Blacksmith Road after receiving a ChildLine notification on Friday, July 24. A preschool administrator reported that a 2-year-old boy had sustained scratches on his neck, back, and both arms, as well as an abrasion that day, authorities said.
Photos of the injuries were later provided to detectives by the child’s mother, police said.
According to investigators, Burke self-reported that an incident had occurred, prompting preschool management to review security video and notify authorities.
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Preschool management provided the security footage to a detective.
Police said the video showed Burke attempting to change the crying child’s clothing. The video also showed Burke, who appeared agitated, picking the boy up and drop him face down from approximately 6 inches in the air onto a cushioned mat area before briefly walking across the room.
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When returning to the child, Burke moved him and forcefully pushed his head into a pillow before picking him up 8 seconds later, placing him face up. The video further captured Burke putting shoes on the child, picking him up, accidentally knocking down another child, pulling the boy by his ankles, pushing his head into a pillow, and lifting him by his left wrist, police said.
Burke appeared to talk to the boy to console him as he cried before she roughly put his shirt on, causing his head to whip around, police said.
A detective wrote in court papers that Burke touched the boy in a “rough manner.”
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During a conversation with a detective, Burke reportedly admitted that she was overwhelmed and burned out at work, lost her cool, and felt frustrated by the child’s crying.
Police said the 28-year-old woman agreed with a detective that her actions were too rough.
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In a note sent to parents amid the ongoing investigation, the preschool stated the incident “did not align with the high standards of care or professionalism we expect” and confirmed the employee involved was no longer employed at the facility.
Police said that after learning of an incident, a preschool administrator looked the child, took photos of the injuries, and reviewed classroom surveillance footage. Burke was sent home for the day, the preschool director and executive director were alerted, and the ChildLine report was made.
Burke was preliminarily arraigned before District Judge Mick Petrucci and released on $50,000 unsecured bail.
Police Chief John Hearn, who was not speaking about Burke’s case, said any suspected child abuse should be reported through the state-operated ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313.
The case was first reported by DelawareValleyNews.com.
Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.