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Day Care Workers Accused Of Force-Feeding Babies
Maura Healy, Stephanie Radke and Mariah Flemister, who worked at the Little People Learning Center in Downers Grove, Illinois, face misdemeanor charges of battery and endangering the life or health of a child.
Three Illinois day care workers were charged after allegedly force-feeding two infants in their care.
Police in Downers Grove, Illinois said surveillance footage taken at the Little People Learning Center showed Maura Healy, 38, Stephanie Radke, 24, and Mariah Flemister, 20, feeding two crying infants solid food and then holding their mouths closed and pushing their heads back, ABC News reports.
Radke has also been accused of hitting a child in the face with a plate, according to the Daily Herald.
"The alleged battery and endangerment was reported to us in mid-January and the investigation wrapped up in early April with charges being filed," Downers Grove police spokesman Bill Budds said, as quoted by the Daily Herald. "Warrants were issued and they turned themselves in on the charges."
The owner of the day care center said all three women were fired after the allegations surfaced, according to NBC 5 Chicago.
Healy, Radke and Flemister face misdemeanor charges of battery and endangering the life or health of a child, Downers Grove Police said.
Radke has also been accused of hitting a child in the face with a plate, according to the Daily Herald.
Meanwhile, an woman who identified herself as the day care's acting director and only gave the name Janice, downplayed the incident to the Daily Herald, calling it a “feeding infraction” that has been greatly exaggerated.
All three suspects were released on bond as of Thursday morning and are scheduled to appear in DuPage County Court on May 15.
