Daycare Fires Workers Accused Of Feeding Child Hot Sauce

The two daycare workers charged with feeding habanero hot sauce to a child in their care have been fired, The Muscogee Creek Nation announced Tuesday.

Rosie Hicks and Tracy Owens were employees of the Nation's day care facility in Okemah when an investigation revealed they had deliberately fed a 13-month-old the fiery sauce.

Both were arrested. Hicks is charged with two counts of felony child abuse, Owens with one count. Authorities say in addition to the hot sauce incident, Hicks also caused the boy to fall when he was standing up by holding on to a table.

Both women admitted to giving the child hot sauce. Hicks blamed her actions on job stress.

4/16/2012 Related Story: Okemah Day Care Workers Accused Of Feeding Toddler Hot Sauce

According to a statement from the Creek Nation:

After conducting its own investigation, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services was contacted. OKDHS conducted its own investigation, and charges were filed against Hicks and Owens. Their employment was then terminated.

The director of the MCN Childcare Program has conducted an assessment of the program and took appropriate action in re-staffing the facility.

"This is not an example of our childcare program sites, and we value high-quality service to all served," the release states.