On Friday, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office spoke with an additional mother regarding her daughter’s attendance at a daycare currently being investigated for child abuse.
Deysi Acosta, aged 54, was in court on Wednesday. She has been released on a $10,000 bond, but it seems her in-home daycare is no longer operating.
WINK News investigated and was unable to locate a license for her daycare. Jacqueline Stephens, CEO of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collier County, sees this as a concerning issue.
“A family unlicensed daycare–there’s not a lot of eyes there,” said Stephens.
A child’s observation resulted in Acosta’s arrest.
A report from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office indicates that a young girl, estimated to be between 6 and 8 years old, concealed an iPad with the intention of presenting it to the police.
She tells another child about the abuse the victim is experiencing.
“It’s just so sad to see anything like that happen with children,” said Stephens.
Stephens informed WINK that she was aware of the case and had examined the video.
Could such abuse affect the development of a baby who is only 11 months old?
“Yes, it can have an impact on children that young, particularly when it’s ongoing and chronic. Abuse, it actually interferes with brain development, and you can see a difference on CAT scans and MRIs,” said Stephens. “So it could have a really devastating effect on kids.”
The arrest report details a single incident of abuse in July, yet it suggests a troubling scenario that may have unfolded within the daycare.
It’s important to remember that a six-year-old girl was aware enough beforehand to capture the spanking on video. WINK News safety and security expert Kristen Ziman, a former police chief, took notice of that.
“Obviously, this child had had the instinct and wherewithal to record the video of this occurring, which is just remarkable in this case,” said Ziman.
“I don’t know what to say about that. That’s amazing,” said Stephens.
Stephens shared with WINK News that observing such abuse could be distressing for the young girl and others involved.
“Because her child is in distress, or it’s just a chaotic environment, and that is just not the best atmosphere for children to grow and develop in,” said Stephens.
Stephens recommends that parents seeking childcare opt for a licensed daycare, as these facilities usually have multiple adults present and offer cameras for parental monitoring.
CCSO remains tight-lipped on the identification of additional victims.