FL Daycare Director Arrested for Allegedly Striking 3-Year-Old<\/p>\n
A daycare director in Hialeah has been arrested following accusations that she struck a 3-year-old child under her care. Rosa Iriarte Alcala, 52, who served as the director of E-Z Daycare located at 1325 W 30th St, Hialeah, FL 33012, is now facing a charge of child abuse with no great bodily harm, according to NBC Miami.<\/p>\n
Incident Discovered After Visible Mark Found<\/p>\n
The situation came to light on October 10 when the child\u2019s grandmother picked him up from the daycare. His mother later noticed a handprint-shaped mark on his left thigh and reported her concerns to the daycare owner. Surveillance footage was reviewed and reportedly showed Alcala striking the boy with an open hand while changing his diaper, the arrest report said.<\/p>\n
Photos taken that day revealed “visible redness on the left thigh,” with the outline of two fingers still discernible, authorities stated.<\/p>\n
Arrest and Court Appearance<\/p>\n
Alcala was arrested on Thursday and taken into custody. She appeared before a judge on Friday, where she was granted pre-trial release with a $5,000 bond and assigned a public defender.<\/p>\n
Daycare Responds to Arrest<\/p>\n
E-Z Daycare addressed the incident in a statement on Friday, expressing deep regret and confirming their cooperation with the child\u2019s family, local authorities, and the Department of Children and Families.<\/p>\n
“The child is safe and remains in our care,” the statement read. “We want to assure our families and the community that we take the safety and well-being of every child very seriously. While this incident was the work of a single individual, it does not reflect the values or standards of our program.”<\/p>\n
The daycare emphasized that immediate steps have been taken to address the situation and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a secure and nurturing environment for children.<\/p>\n
Investigation Continues Following Alleged Abuse at Daycare<\/p>\n
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.<\/p>\n
Understanding Legal Options for Daycare Abuse Victims<\/p>\n