A former preschool employee in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, is facing criminal charges after allegedly handling a crying 2-year-old boy roughly, leaving him with visible injuries.
Erin Burke, 27, has been charged with simple assault and endangering the welfare of a child following an incident in July at the Newtown Discovery Preschool.
According to court documents and local police reports, the investigation began after preschool administrators submitted a report to ChildLine, Pennsylvania’s child abuse reporting system, and provided law enforcement with surveillance video.
Officials noted that Burke initially disclosed the incident to a school administrator, prompting the internal review and subsequent call to authorities.
Surveillance footage from the classroom allegedly depicts Burke attempting to change the toddler’s clothing while he was crying. The video shows her picking the child up and dropping him face-down onto a cushioned mat. Investigators stated the footage further shows Burke pushing the boy’s head into a pillow, pulling him by his ankles, forcing him into a lying position, and aggressively dressing him.
Police reported that the child sustained scratches on his neck and arms.
During an interview with police at her home, Burke acknowledged that she acted roughly with the boy out of frustration and admitted her actions caused his injuries.
Following the incident, the preschool removed Burke from the classroom, notified local law enforcement and the child’s family, and terminated her employment.
“This is a serious and unacceptable violation of our standards of care, professional conduct, and the expectations we have for anyone entrusted with the safety of a child,” Newtown Discovery Preschool said in a statement. “We are deeply saddened by this situation and recognize the impact it has on the child, their family and on our school community. We know incidents involving the well-being of a child affect our families, our educators, and everyone who places their trust in our school.”
Burke’s defense attorney, Louis R. Busico, maintained that his client did not intend to hurt the toddler, emphasizing that she reported her own actions to school management.
“She in no way, shape or form would ever intentionally or even recklessly put a child in harm’s way,” Busico said to local media.
Burke was released on unsecured bail and is scheduled to appear in court for her next hearing on Sept. 3.
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