A former preschool worker in Pennsylvania was arrested for recklessly treating a child and injuring him after she allegedly dropped the crying 2-year-old boy on a mat and pushed his head into a pillow.
Erin Burke was charged with endangering the welfare of a child and simple assault following the alleged incident that took place in July at Newtown Discovery Preschool in Bucks County, according to NBC10 Philadelphia.
The investigation into Burke, 27, was launched after preschool administrators filed a ChildLine report regarding her behavior, according to court documents viewed by the outlet. The school said that Burke allegedly told an administrator about the incident, which led to the school leaders contacting authorities.
The school provided security footage to authorities, which allegedly showed Burke trying to change the crying toddler’s clothes. She then picked him up and dropped him face first on a cushioned mat, according to the outlet.
Burke then allegedly pushed the boy’s head into a pillow and pulled him by his ankles so that she could finish aggressively dressing him.
After Burke reported the incident, the preschool removed her from the school and administration notified the child’s family and authorities. She was later terminated from the preschool.
Police later interviewed Burke at her home, and she allegedly admitted that she was rough with the child after she grew frustrated with him, per the outlet. She also acknowledged that she injured the child during the altercation.
Following the incident, Newtown Discovery Preschool said that Burke’s alleged conduct was “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.”
“We are deeply saddened by this situation and recognize the impact it has on the child, their family and on our school community,” the preschool continued in a statement, according to FOX 29. “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 attorney, Louis R. Busico, denied that his client intentionally or recklessly harmed the child, and he also pointed out that she reported the incident herself.
“She in no way, shape or form would ever intentionally or even recklessly put a child in harm’s way,” Busico told WPVI in a statement.
Following her arrest, Burke was released on unsecured bail. She is next scheduled to appear in court in September.
The investigation into the case remains ongoing.
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
