Mother Of Edmond Child Abused By Babysitter Speaks Out

An Edmond woman was arrested, accused of hitting an 18-month-old child she was babysitting over the weekend.

Tuesday, September 24th 2013, 5:49 pm

By: News 9


An Edmond woman was arrested, accused of hitting an 18-month-old child she was babysitting over the weekend. Now she's facing a complaint of felony child abuse, and the little girl's mother is speaking out.

Edmond Police responded to the Sunset Ridge apartments in the 900 block of S. Boulevard on Saturday afternoon, after getting a frantic phone call from that 18 months old's mother. And it turns out, she's not the only mom who has reported this babysitter.

9/24/2013 Related Story: Edmond Babysitter Accused Of Shoving Toddler

"You don't hit kids," said Bonita Clements. "You don't do that to kids."

Clements said she is still horrified about what happened to her 18-month-old daughter Sophia inside this apartment. She said she asked Christy Canfield to babysit her little girl while she ran to the store.

She said Canfield had watched Sophia in the past, and had babysat other children in the complex too. So she thought she was safe, until she witnessed the unthinkable.

"We see her scream at Sophia, tell her to shut up," said Clements. "She took her hand and hit her in the face, push her back and then slam the screen door in her face."

Clements says she couldn't believe what was happening to her daughter.

"I was just so mad," said Clements. "I just went over there and grabbed Sophia. I was terrified and then I called the cops. I was like, that's not right! You do not do that."

Clements said she fears Sophia may have been hurt during previous visits too. She said friends told her they had heard Sophia's screams coming from Canfield's apartment before, but didn't know what to do.

"I don't think she should be around kids," said Melissa Dunkeson, whose 4-year-old son was also seen being accosted by Canfield during the incident with Sophia.

She too has filed a police report.

"You should not put hands on any child period," Dunkeson said.

Clements for one will be moving, so she and Sophia won't run into Canfield anymore. Especially since she is currently out on bond.

"She shouldn't be allowed to be around kids at all," Clements said.

News 9 did get a chance to speak with Clements. Though she would not go on camera, she tells us she did not hit little Sophia.

It will be up to the district attorney's office to determine if charges will be filed.

logo

Get The Daily Update!

Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News on 6 delivered right to your inbox!

More Like This

September 24th, 2013

March 14th, 2024

December 4th, 2023

September 25th, 2023

Top Headlines

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024