Day Care Director Accused of Choking 4-Year-Old

A metro day care director has been accused of chocking a 4-year-old boy, but workers at the day care said nothing has been done.

Thursday, April 29th 2010, 12:21 am

By: News 9


By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A metro day care director has been accused of chocking a 4-year-old boy, but workers at the day care said nothing has been done.

Natasha Lanier works at the Childtime Day Care Center and said she witnessed the abuse. However, Lanier is a friend of the boy's mother, who also works at the day care. Now both of them have been placed on administrative leave.

"A 4-year-old, I mean, putting him in the choke hold to try to restrain him. At any point, if he was scratching, biting, or any child, whatever may have been, that's not OK," said Mary, the boy's mother who asked that her real identity not be used.

Mary said she is far from OK after learning her little boy was allegedly abused by the director at the Childtime Day Care Center.

"It's not fair for my child because, I mean he's four. He doesn't know what's going on. He comes to me, 'Mommy, she hurt me today.'"

Mary said she was at the doctor's office last Tuesday and didn't see the alleged abuse, but Lanier said she did.

"When I walked into the camp classroom, is when I seen (Mary)'s son being put in a chokehold," Lanier said.

Lanier is a cook at the day care center and said she notified Mary about what happened. Lanier also said another staff member allowed the 4-year-old boy and his sister to leave with her without the mother's permission, and now both of their jobs are on the line.

"I've been put on administrative leave for protecting two kids in a building that I felt were in harms way," Lanier said.

But Mary said she is grateful for Lanier's actions.

"I have no idea what would have happened to my kids if she wasn't there. I really don't because really how far would they have tooken it if it wasn't for her stepping in when she did? I just consider it a blessing," Mary said.

The day care director accused of the abuse did not have any comment but referred all comments to the legal department. A spokesperson said they will look into the case.

Oklahoma City police said the case is still an open investigation, and it has been referred to the Department of Human Services.

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