Two daycare employees in suburban Des Plaines have been accused of beating seven small children, including dragging a 4-year-old boy across the floor, according to police.
Jessica Murillo, 36, and Izabella Thompson, 23, have been charged with several counts of battery for incidents that occurred between November 3 and November 19, according to Des Plaines police.
A parent contacted directors at A Mother’s Touch Daycare on November 20 about an incident in which a child care provider sprayed a child in the face with water inside a classroom, according to police.
The directors conducted an internal investigation, reviewed security footage, notified the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, and suspended Murillo and Thompson, according to police.
As the investigation progressed, directors discovered additional video evidence reportedly showing Murillo and Thompson beating multiple children between November 3 and November 19, police said.
On November 24, the directors and one of the children’s parents visited the Des Plaines Police Department to submit a report.
Investigators claim that seven children between the ages of four and five were beaten by Murillo or Thompson. None of the children required medical treatment or sustained serious physical injuries.
Murillo is accused of hitting a child in the face with a notepad, dragging a 4-year-old boy across the floor with his foot and forcing his head to contact the ground, and repeatedly punching another youngster in the face with an open hand, according to the authorities.
She was accused on February 23 with three felony counts of aggravated violence and twelve misdemeanor counts of battery.
Thompson was charged with four misdemeanor charges of violence on February 23.
“Our hearts go out to the children and families affected by this troubling case,” said Des Plaines Police Chief David Anderson. “This was a painful breach of trust by individuals entrusted with the care of young children. I want to thank the directors and staff of A Mother’s Touch Daycare for acting quickly, alerting authorities, and fully cooperating with our investigators.”
Murillo is set to appear in court on February 25 at 1:30 p.m. at Skokie’s Second District Municipal Courthouse. Thompson is due to appear in the same courthouse on March 20 at 9 a.m.
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