Honk News (Long Island, NY) — A daycare worker on Long Island allegedly forced an 18-month-old girl’s face onto a cot, resulting in severe injuries that required stitches, according to police and a fellow employee.
Megan Marchena, 26, from Massapequa, was employed at Tutor Time Child Care and Learning Center located off Sunrise Highway in Lindenhurst when she reportedly engaged in the alleged incident on February 24, as the young girl repeatedly got up during nap time, according to fellow staff member Raven Griffin who spoke to News12.
“The last time she slammed her down, the little girl hit her mouth on the cot. After [the child] hit her mouth, she started crying,” said Griffin, who rushed over to help the toddler before she was sent to Good Samaritan Hospital.
“There was blood gushing all down her chin out of her mouth,” Griffin said.
On February 28, Marchena was taken into custody on charges of assault and child endangerment, coinciding with the initiation of an investigation by Child Protective Services.
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She entered a plea of not guilty, with bail established at $5,000, and is scheduled to return to court on Thursday, according to the report.
During the weekend, Tutor Time placed both Marchena and its director on administrative leave and informed parents through a letter that they are collaborating with authorities.
“All of our staff members are expected to uphold our high standards of care, and we do not tolerate any deviation from these standards.”