Debbie Colvin-Difeo Hosed Toddler Down

**Wicked Doll** · April 23rd, 2009, 01:52 PM

But, she has many good excuses for her behavior. And Speshel Plase has got to be the most retarded name for a daycare that I have ever heard.

A daycare worker charged with child abuse will serve six months in jail, seven years probation and has been ordered to not have any further care of children.

Debbie Lynn Colvin-Difeo of Camp Verde, who worked at My Speshel Plase Child Care was arrested on a chilly Jan. 2 when a passer-by complained that the woman was spraying a naked toddler with a hose outside of the business.

The woman told arresting officers that the child had soiled his clothes. The little boy, between 3 and 4 years old, was taken by paramedics to Verde Valley Medical Center for observation.

Colvin-Difeo was booked in the county jail on charges child abuse, child endangerment and aggravated assault.

She pleaded guilty to a single count of negligent child abuse.

In sentencing the 51-year-old Camp Verde woman, Judge Warren Darrow Monday recognized that the woman suffers some mental health and emotional conditions. The woman had suffered the death of 15-year-old daughter, the kidnapping of a son, and suffered health issues including diabetes and a bite from a poisonous spider just before the abuse arrest.

Still, the judge said she was guilty of "terrible mistreatment of a young child" and "should not be involved in child care."

He said the child's only crime was that of "being a child." He said Colvin-Difeo does not appreciate the harm she has caused or the development of a child.

Darrow agreed to give the woman time to attend to some medical appointments at the same time the Camp Verde Jail would be filling with inmates from the Prescott jail, which is now closing. She will begin serving her sentence June 1.

http://verdenews.com/main.asp?Sectio...rticleID=30170

**smallwonder4** · April 23rd, 2009, 01:55 PM

She runs a daycare and doesn't have an indoor place to hose off a child after s/he soils her/himself??

**Earth2Amanda** · April 23rd, 2009, 01:57 PM

a simple change of cloths and some baby wipes would have done the same thing

**Wicked Doll** · April 23rd, 2009, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by smallwonder4

She runs a daycare and doesn't have an indoor place to hose off a child after s/he soils her/himself??

Yeah I know. Kids soil themselves. Shit happens, literally. Surely there was a better way to handle this than stripping the kid down and hosing him off outside in January.

**El Supremo** · April 23rd, 2009, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by Wicked Doll

...Speshel Plase has got to be the most retarded name for a daycare that I have ever heard.

I choked on my coffee when I read that.

Yes, this lady is chock full o' excuses. Especially the being bitten by a spider thing. I know that would just push me right over the edge and make me start physically/psychologically torturing small children.

Hopefully she'll be put in a "speshel plase" for a while... away from kids.

**smallwonder4** · April 23rd, 2009, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by El Supremo

I choked on my coffee when I read that.

Yes, this lady is chock full o' excuses. Especially the being bitten by a spider thing. I know that would just push me right over the edge and make me start physically/psychologically torturing small children.

Hopefully she'll be put in a "speshel plase" for a while... away from kids.

You deserved double thanks for this! LOL!

**Wicked Doll** · April 23rd, 2009, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by El Supremo

I choked on my coffee when I read that.

Yes, this lady is chock full o' excuses. Especially the being bitten by a spider thing. I know that would just push me right over the edge and make me start physically/psychologically torturing small children.

Hopefully she'll be put in a "speshel plase" for a while... away from kids.

I would at least want to leave my child in the care of somebody who can spell FFS. I almost titled this Debbie Colvin-Difeo Doesn't Understand That Shit Happens, but that was waaay too long.

**tonilj80** · April 23rd, 2009, 02:10 PM

My Speshel Plase Child Care

Where the 'Speshel' people work.

Please tell me there is a reason behind this absolutely stupid name that I am not understanding.

**Wicked Doll** · April 23rd, 2009, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by tonilj80

Where the 'Speshel' people work.

Please tell me there is a reason behind this absolutely stupid name that I am not understanding.

Not that I am aware of. It's speshel all right.

**smallwonder4** · April 23rd, 2009, 03:40 PM

Speshal Plase: Yur yungins aint gon lern shit heer!

**Kalehue** · April 23rd, 2009, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by smallwonder4

Speshal Plase: Yur yungins aint gon lern shit heer!

I laughed until my sides hurt when I read this. There's *no way* I'd take my child to a daycare center called "Speshal Plase."

Is it Swedish or Dutch or something or are they just that stupid??

**Wicked Doll** · April 23rd, 2009, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by Kalehue

I laughed until my sides hurt when I read this. There's *no way* I'd take my child to a daycare center called "Speshal Plase."

Is it Swedish or Dutch or something or are they just that stupid??

I suppose it could have been a daycare for special needs children, but that makes the name downright insulting.

**El Supremo** · April 23rd, 2009, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by Wicked Doll

I suppose it could have been a daycare for special needs children, but that makes the name downright insulting.

Yes. It would be one thing if it was spelled some "cute" way, like putting the "N" backwards or having the letters crooked or something.

I do realize that it's a daycare and not a preschool, but spelling the name of the fucking place wrong is not really sending a stellar message of confidence out to the parents who patronize(d) the place, I'm sure.

**Athena** · April 23rd, 2009, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by El Supremo

I choked on my coffee when I read that.

Yes, this lady is chock full o' excuses. Especially the being bitten by a spider thing. I know that would just push me right over the edge and make me start physically/psychologically torturing small children.

Hopefully she'll be put in a "speshel plase" for a while... away from kids.

Am I missing something?

The kid soiled himself, so she took him outside to wash him off. Sure, not appropriate in the winter time (although, this being in central AZ, I wonder what a "chilly" morning is, to them), but unless she did it specifically to punish, I don't see this as torture.

If this is the case, and she was simply misguided, 6 months in jail is extreme. The rest of it is appropropriate, though.

**ineedanap** · April 23rd, 2009, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by smallwonder4

Speshal Plase: Yur yungins aint gon lern shit heer!

LOL! She was just being kre8tive with the name!!

**Kalehue** · April 23rd, 2009, 04:18 PM

Posted in the comments under the article linked above:

Posted: Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Article comment by: Barbara Amato

A friend emailed me this article this afternoon knowing I would be just thrilled with it's contents. I am one of the "passers by" that first witnessed and reported this horrifying event. Six months is not enough in my book after what I saw that day but I am happy that some time will have to be served. This woman is an animal for the way she treated that baby that cold Jan morning - I hope they have garden hoses in prison!! Thank You soooo much for the follow-up to this story. I have been waiting for this since Jan 2 and it is the best news I have heard all day!!!

**FlightForm** · April 23rd, 2009, 04:55 PM

You know, you gotta stick your nose into daycare centers in a real big way before you leave your children there because of BS like this.
There are even some small, seemingly unappealing daycares with great, responsible workers, and upper class daycares who hire morons.
There was a real posh daycare center in my area that very nearly got closed down when two three year olds somehow wandered outside and were found near the highway.
Nonetheless, yeah, "Speshel Plase" woulda rang a few warning bells for me.

**Silvahalo** · April 23rd, 2009, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by Athena

Am I missing something?

The kid soiled himself, so she took him outside to wash him off. Sure, not appropriate in the winter time (although, this being in central AZ, I wonder what a "chilly" morning is, to them), but unless she did it specifically to punish, I don't see this as torture.

If this is the case, and she was simply misguided, 6 months in jail is extreme. The rest of it is appropropriate, though.

I see your point Athena, being that she is mentally challenged in some way, heck, she might have not even thought twice about it thinking, I'm cleaning the kid that's all folks....

I do think 6 months is harsh. We see some perps here get that for doing far worse to a child...far worse.

**Wicked Doll** · April 23rd, 2009, 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by silvahalo68

I see your point Athena, being that she is mentally challenged in some way, heck, she might have not even thought twice about it thinking, I'm cleaning the kid that's all folks....

I do think 6 months is harsh. We see some perps here get that for doing far worse to a child...far worse.

My question is if she is "mentally challenged" what is she doing working at a daycare? I read her "challenge" as a lot of bad shit happened to her and she took it out on this kid. Bad stuff happens and it does have a way of coming down like a waterfall at times, but it's no excuse for mistreating a child.

Perhaps 6 months is a bit extreme and the other stipulations seem to cover proper punishment. Cape Verde is described as having a typically tropical climate, so I doubt the chill was the issue.

I think taking a child out, stripping him naked, and hosing him down in plain sight of passers by does come with a certain level of humiliation for the child. How many people here would do this if their child soiled themselves? Anyone?

An unfortunate situation whether it be a "misguided" daycare employee or an employee that was having a case of the shittylifes and took it out on a child.

**Kaylara** · April 23rd, 2009, 07:57 PM

Originally Posted by Kalehue

I laughed until my sides hurt when I read this. There's *no way* I'd take my child to a daycare center called "Speshal Plase."

Is it Swedish or Dutch or something or are they just that stupid??

Not Dutch... That would be "Speciaal Plaats". Plase looks like the Dutch word for pee, though.

**Spitfire77** · April 23rd, 2009, 08:10 PM

Originally Posted by Athena

Am I missing something?

The kid soiled himself, so she took him outside to wash him off. Sure, not appropriate in the winter time (although, this being in central AZ, I wonder what a "chilly" morning is, to them), but unless she did it specifically to punish, I don't see this as torture.

My parents used to hose my brother and I off outside our house after a long day of playing in the mud. Totally buttnekkid four year olds on the front lawn. Think I could go back and get them for it, or has the statute of limitations expired? ;)

**Silvahalo** · April 24th, 2009, 12:53 AM

Originally Posted by Wicked Doll

My question is if she is "mentally challenged" what is she doing working at a daycare? I read her "challenge" as a lot of bad shit happened to her and she took it out on this kid. Bad stuff happens and it does have a way of coming down like a waterfall at times, but it's no excuse for mistreating a child.

Perhaps 6 months is a bit extreme and the other stipulations seem to cover proper punishment. Cape Verde is described as having a typically tropical climate, so I doubt the chill was the issue.

I think taking a child out, stripping him naked, and hosing him down in plain sight of passers by does come with a certain level of humiliation for the child. How many people here would do this if their child soiled themselves? Anyone?

An unfortunate situation whether it be a "misguided" daycare employee or an employee that was having a case of the shittylifes and took it out on a child.

I don't think she should be around to care for children by any means if she is "mentally challenged". I sure as heck wouldn't leave my child in questionable care like that.

I agree it wasn't the best maneuver on her part, just think the intent wasn't malicious. Punishable yes, but I don't think 6 months is fair.

I've washed down my 5 yr. old when he was 18 months running in the sprinkler. He pooped and took his swimmer off and I was like well, no harm done. He was in the back yard and no one could see but I just hosed him off. Mind you it wasn't a rip-roaring water pressure but still it was with the hose, and he just giggled over it. Circumstances make all the difference I think. I don't condone what she did but kinda of thing it wasn't as big as a deal as people made it out to be.

**OMalley** · April 24th, 2009, 01:26 AM

Yeah, I've hosed my littles down in the yard too, when they got really dirty from playing outside. But in the summer, when it was hot. If it was getting towards evening, getting chilly, I'd bring them into the house & dump 'em in the tub.

The witness refers to it as a "horrifying event" so that makes me wonder...Not sure what the winter weather is like in AZ or what the actual temp was that day but being hosed down with cold water on a chilly morning could not be too pleasant. Hell, I wouldn't even do that to my cat. The judge thought it was "terrible mistreatment." I don't think I'd be too happy if that was my kid.

**Kalehue** · April 24th, 2009, 01:31 AM

Originally Posted by OMalley

Yeah, I've hosed my littles down in the yard too, when they got really dirty from playing outside. But in the summer, when it was hot. If it was getting towards evening, getting chilly, I'd bring them into the house & dump 'em in the tub.

The witness refers to it as a "horrifying event" so that makes me wonder...Not sure what the winter weather is like in AZ or what the actual temp was that day but being hosed down with cold water on a chilly morning could not be too pleasant. Hell, I wouldn't even do that to my cat. The judge thought it was "terrible mistreatment." I don't think I'd be too happy if that was my kid.

Agree. It can be quite cold in the desert at night and in the early mornings -- especially in January.

I think there's a difference between being hosed off in the yard by a parent and being hosed off naked and for an "accident" -- in front of your playmates and passing traffic. And who knows about the water pressure, etc. Something that happened there led at least one witness to describe the incident as "horrifying."

Not sure why any day care center would employ someone with mental and emotional issues and certainly not sure why they wouldn't be supervising her if they did.

**Wicked Doll** · April 24th, 2009, 01:34 AM

Originally Posted by Kalehue

A
Not sure why any day care center would employ someone with mental and emotional issues and certainly not sure why they wouldn't be supervising her if they did.

The answer is that it's a Speshel Plase. I still can't get over that name.

**Dakota Valkyrie** · April 24th, 2009, 03:04 AM

Maybe the daycare is run by one of those "Spelling Reformers" that wants things spelled like they sound?

**smallwonder4** · April 25th, 2009, 08:03 AM

Yesterday was almost 80 degrees here. I went to someone's house to do some pond maintenance, and that entails rinsing the filter pad with the hose. The spray nozzle that my boss gave me doesn't really fit very well and it sprays me down the whole time I'm spraying the pad.

My point is that the water was still cold even though it was nice and warm out and I didn't like it. Compound that with the embarrassment of having an accident at school and being stripped down and hosed off like that for all to see, and I can't imagine what this speshel bitch was thinking. I still can't believe she didn't have an indoor tub she could have handled it in... or a sink.

Is it her daycare or is she just an employee?

**sanityslipping** · April 25th, 2009, 09:28 AM

Judge Warren Darrow Monday recognized that the woman suffers some mental health and emotional conditions. The woman had suffered the death of 15-year-old daughter, the kidnapping of a son, and suffered health issues including diabetes and a bite from a poisonous spider just before the abuse arrest.

If she had so many mental/emotional issues, that she wasn't of sound mind, she should NOT be around children, especially young ones.

As for Speshel plase, or however it was spelled, I sure as hell wouldn't take my child there, just based on the name, I probably wouldn't go to it, even if it was spelled right, because in my mind your "special place" when reffering to children, is between the legs, that's what my parents called it when I was little, no body sees or touches your "special place".

Hosing off a child, in front of traffic, and passerbyes is just WRONG. One, I don't even change my daughter's diaper in front of non-family. We go to another room for that. I sure as hell don't want her nekkedness on display for everyone to see (although it's getting harder these days, she's figured out how to get undressed, and loves to try to do so in public) But, even as hard as she tries, i keep her little butt covered up.

Rant number two, I've been sprayed with water from a garden hose, and unless it's the water that's been sitting in the hose on a summer day coming out, it's usually pretty damn cold, and therefore, pretty damn mean, especially to do it outside in january. If somebody turned the hose on me, they'd better be looking for a fight, cuz they are gonna get one. I don't like being cold and wet, and I bet that poor child didn't either.

Rant three, visualize this for a minute, ok? This happened in a few possible ways, either the kid was trying to run from the water, and she "followed with the hose", or the kids was standing still, shaking and shivering and crying, or she was holding the kid, probably by the arm, with one hand, while the kid twisted and turned trying to get away, while she sprayed the poor thing down. Since the passerby referred to it as horrifying, it was probably the last one.

I hope this speshal bitch never gets around children again.