EchaSez
Hope is the thing with feathers.
09/22/17
Authorities in Florida are searching for two childcare workers who filmed themselves taunting and throwing objects at an 8-year-old boy with autism.
Winter Haven Police issued arrest warrants for Kaderrica Smith, 26, and 19-year-old Alexis Henderson after they were alerted to a Snapchat video posted by the pair on Sept. 1, WFLA reported.
The three-minute clip sees the childcare workers throwing shoes and a backpack at a boy at Our Children’s of Winter Haven. The child, who has also been diagnosed with ADHD, ODD and severe outbursts, can be seen crying and taking cover under the table as he’s being berated by Smith and Henderson.
At one point he runs out from his hiding spot, only to have one of his caretakers grab him by the arm and trip him so that he lands on the ground— flat on his back.
“When we interviewed them they defended what they had done as being the appropriate thing to deal with this child,” Police Chief Charlie Bird told Fox 13.
Since the initial interview, officers have tried several times to locate Henderson and Smith with no success, prompting them to issue the arrest warrants.
Kaderrica Smith (R) and Alexus Henderson (L) arrested after being caught on video taunting and abusing an autistic child in Winter Haven, Florida on September 1, 2017.
(WINTER HAVEN POLICE DEPARTMENT)
Both women were only recently certified to work with children, authorities said, adding their certifications have since been put on hold so they would not be able to be employed by any facility dealing with kids, according to the news station...
...Following an interview with the child, the state Department of Children and Families determined the women committed criminal acts in their interactions with him.
Police said Smith is being charged with battery and child abuse and Henderson with child neglect.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nat...workers-taunting-boy-autism-article-1.3513344