Two daycare workers are under investigation after one reportedly tormented a toddler in their care while the other filmed it — and shared it on Facebook. Diana Willett and Tasha Cox of Monticello, Kentucky, have been arrested after Willett was captured apparently taunting a 2-year-old child with a doll as she coward in fear under table.
According to police, the disturbing footage was filmed on Friday.
In a statement posted on the Wayne County Sheriff's Office's Facebook page, police received a report about the incident on Friday. Diana Willett, an employee of Wendy's Wonderland daycare, was allegedly caught taunting a 2-year-old child with a doll. Boston.com reported that the child had a well-known fear of dolls and small animals, which is why she cowered in terror and hid under a table as Willett shook the doll at her.
Deputies confirmed that Willett was aware of the girl's fears and the daycare had been previously notified, according to WKYT. However, it appears that they intentionally ignored it while Willett attempted to inflict distress and Cox filmed it before sharing it on social media instead of stopping it.
In the video, the girl can be seen shoving the doll away as Willett sings and waves it closer.
Willett allegedly then made a comment about how the girl won't stop crying.
It was only later that sheriff's police received a complaint about the incident, prompting Deputy Jerry Coffey to investigate.
"After reviewing video of the incident and conducting interviews, he submitted his findings to the Wayne County Attorney Tom Simmons Office to obtain arrest warrants for two of the workers at the facility that were involved in the incident," the police statement online read.
Cox reportedly defending it, saying they were using different techniques to "help" the child and doesn't agree that Willett did anything wrong.
Both women were arrested on Monday. Willett was charged with "criminal abuse-1st degree-child 12 years of age" and Cox with "failure to report child depend neglect/abuse." The two were taken to the Wayne County Detention Center, but according to WKYT, both were released after posting bond.
A parent whose child also attends Wendy's Wonderland spoke to reporters when they asked her if she had heard about complaints against the childcare center before.
"From what I know it’s one complaint from one parent who is unhappy," Samantha Daniel said. "No interviews that I know of with any other parent. No allegations from any other parent.”
