Two daycare teachers are currently facing multiple charges following an investigation into allegations of child abuse at an early learning center in Middletown.
On January 12th, the Special Investigations Unit of the Middletown Police Department received a complaint regarding an alleged assault on a 2-year-old at the Town & Country Early Learning Center located at 195 South Main St. in Middletown.
The facility informed the parents about the accusation and granted them access to a surveillance video of the alleged incident, according to the police. The parents subsequently reported the incident to the Middletown police, urging the arrest of the teacher involved. The teacher has been identified as Kristie Kovarcik, a 48-year-old resident of Haddam, according to the police.
As part of the investigation, detectives were able to obtain surveillance video that reportedly captured Kovarcik picking up the 2-year-old and throwing the child aside, according to the police. According to authorities, the child’s head accidentally struck a nearby wall, resulting in a cut above their right eye.
As per the police, the facility director became aware of some disturbance and decided to review the surveillance footage from Kovarcik’s room. According to her statement to the police, she witnessed Kovarcik throwing the child aside, resulting in the child’s head hitting the wall. The director promptly attended to the situation, ensuring the child’s safety and promptly informing the parents and the Connecticut Department of Children and Families.
Detectives have obtained an arrest warrant for Kovarcik following a thorough investigation. She is now facing charges of risk of injury to a minor and second-degree reckless endangerment. On February 26th, she voluntarily surrendered to the authorities.
Authorities have reported that a thorough investigation into the incident has uncovered multiple instances where Kovarcik and another teacher, Onima Rahman, were observed mishandling children under their care.
According to the police, both teachers were terminated once detectives obtained this information.
Kovarcik surrendered to Middletown police on Friday and is facing charges of endangering minors and reckless endangerment. According to the police, she was held in custody with a $30,000 bond and appeared in Middlesex Superior Court on Friday.
Rahman was taken into custody on August 22nd and is facing charges of endangering a minor and reckless endangerment. According to police, she appeared in Middlesex Superior Court on the same day.