Long Island Day Care Workers Force-Fed, Slammed, Pushed Babies: Police

Two day care teachers on Long Island were arrested after investigators say they force-fed, pushed and slammed children onto the floor, according to authorities. 

Kathleen Culver, 33, of Southampton, and Sarah M. Dawber, 23, of Mastic Beach, were arrested Friday after an investigation into allegations of abuse at Side by Side Day Care in Southampton, police said. 

The women, who worked in the infant room at the day care, are accused of roughly handling children ranging in age from 4 months old to 18 months old. 

One 18-month-old child vomited from the alleged force-feeding, police said. No other injuries have been reported. 

Complaints from both workers and parents filed with police over the last week led to an investigation by Southampton police, the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, and Suffolk County Child Protective Services.

Culver and Dawber were arrested by detectives during an investigative visit to the day care Friday. 

The workers were processed and released on desk appearance tickets for misdemeanor child endangerment, police said. They're expected to appear in court at a later date. 

Messages were left with the day care, and the staff working there Tuesday offered no comment. Attorney information for Culver and Dawber wasn't immediately available. 

Two mothers went to the day care Monday night to pack up their children's belongings, including a wheelchair for one son. They said they do not plan to bring their children back to the center. 

"I'm not comfortable leaving my child in a place where something like this goes on," said Sharon Sweeney. "This says to me they're not caring about the quality of people they're hiring to take care of these children, whether or not they're special needs children."

Sarah Chapman, whose son has been going to the day care for the past two years, said she's recently seen too many red flags. 

"Neither of us will be back," she said, adding that her own mother once worked there and left the day care, along with many other "good people who worked there," because of the low pay. 

"This is what you get for that," said Chapman. 

But some parents Tuesday expressed support for the center. One man picking up a child there said it is a "great school." 

Another mother said Culver cared for her daughter for about a year without any issues. 

"I believe it was just an accusation and her name is going to be claered. And if I had another baby, I would be bringing them here, too," said Amanda Krzenski. 

A check of state inspection records found only minor violations at Side by Side over the last year and a half. Still, Southampton police want to speak to other parents to determine the full extent of any abuse inside the day care center. 

"They're 4 months old to 18 months old. They cannot defend themselves nor speak for themselves," said Southampton Police Lt. Susan Ralph. 

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