PROSPERITY, SOUTH CAROLINA: Ericka Jones, 27, and Serena Caldwell, 56, two former employees of South Carolina's Kids Unlimited of Prosperity daycare, have been accused of directing three and four-year-olds under their care to engage in physical fights with no intervention to stop the violence.
The "rogue" daycare apparently turned themselves in on Thursday, November 9, after arrest warrants were issued against them for the supposed incident that took place on October 23 and involved 14 children.
What are the charges against Ericka Jones and Serena Caldwell?
The Newberry County Sheriff's Office issued arrest warrants for Ericka Jones and Serena Caldwell, charging them with "contributing to the delinquency of a minor" and "unlawful conduct to a child."
Jones faces 14 counts of each charge, while Caldwell faces 15 counts of each charge, according to the department's press release issued on Friday.
What is particularly distressing about the case is that, according to the police investigation, the two accused daycare workers not only permitted the children to engage in physical altercations but also actively encouraged and promoted this violent behavior.
Sheriff sheds light on the disturbing behavior of the two daycare workers
Sheriff Lee Foster described the initial motivations behind the disturbing behavior, stating that Serena Caldwell and Ericka Jones "promoted other students or other clients of the daycare to use violence to try to punish a child or make another child compliant."
He went on to express his disbelief, saying, "I have no idea what the two daycare workers were thinking of – that was just abhorrent behavior. I just can't imagine why you would do this."
Sheriff Foster emphasized the actions of the "rogue employees," claiming the department does not believe that the daycare itself was complicit in their behavior.
Parents of children attending the facility also expressed their dismay at the incident, with one remarking that the problem was not systemic and that the actions of these two individuals had unfairly tarnished the reputation of the daycare.
She stated, "But at the same time, I’m glad it was caught and they will have to serve justice. But at the end of the day, there’s no real justice because how do you remove that from a child’s head?" adding, "You’ve altered their life."
South Carolina daycare's response to the disturbing incident
Fortunately, the Kids Unlimited of Prosperity daycare acted swiftly in response to the unfortunate situation.
The daycare owner, John David Dawkins, informed the public that Ericka Jones and Serena Caldwell were "immediately terminated" once their behavior was reported and security footage was reviewed, as reported by WIS-TV.
He also promptly notified the South Carolina Department of Social Services and the Newberry County Sheriff's Department, fully cooperating in the subsequent investigation.
Although no serious physical injuries were reported among the children involved, concerns remain regarding the potential emotional and psychological damage inflicted upon them.
