SLIDELL, La. – An employee of a southern Louisiana day care center has been arrested on suspicion of breaking the arm of a 2-year-old in her care.
According to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, workers at the facility called the child’s parents July 8 and said the child needed medical attention. X-rays later confirmed the child’s arm had been broken, WWL-TV reported.
Deputies later arrested Leann Simon, 34, after the investigation determined she grabbed the toddler’s arm and twisted it behind the child’s back before lifting the toddler off the ground, the TV station reported.
Simon was charged Tuesday with one count of second-degree cruelty to a juvenile and released Wednesday after posting a $35,000 bond, WGNO reported.
Although the sheriff’s office did not identify the child care center publicly, Primary Colors Early Childhood Learning Center issued a statement confirming Simon has been fired and that the facility is cooperating with investigators, WWL-TV reported.
“We are completely devastated and saddened that this has occurred. We want all of our families and the public to know that we care deeply for each and every child that we care for,” Primary Colors’ Director Terri Abney stated.
“Leann was fired immediately upon the discovery that she harmed one of our students, and we are fully cooperating with the police, all state agencies and the family of the injured child,” she added.
