Multiple agencies are investigating after two videos were posted to social media that show a now-terminated worker at a learning center in Hartford allegedly getting physical with one child and telling another child to “be afraid, be very afraid.”
The videos, which show a person at the Kids Creative Learning Center, LLC being recorded by another, were posted and reposted by numerous users on multiple social media platforms — including TikTok and Facebook — over the past few days and sparked investigations by the state Office of Early Childhood and Department of Children and Families — the latter of which is conferring with the Hartford Police Department about potential criminal charges.
“Upon learning of this incident last night, we immediately initiated an investigation and notified the appropriate authorities to assist in resolving the issue,” The Kids Creative Learning Center wrote on its Facebook page. “We deeply regret not being aware of these incidents earlier, and it is unfortunate that the staff member who recorded the incident chose to post it on social media rather than reporting it to us.”
In one of two videos shared on social media, a person at the learning center can be seen allegedly slapping the hand or wrist of a young girl sitting at a table away from her face and forcefully pushing her up against the backrest of the chair and moving the chair closer to the table.
“Sit at my table with your hands on your lap,” the unidentified person told the girl before sternly telling her to “sit down.”
The same person can be heard in another video telling a young girl, “Be afraid, be very afraid. But I still love you,” while another child is yelling or crying out.
The videos have been posted and reposted by a number of users multiple times over the past few days, though it remains unclear when the incidents actually occurred.
In its statement to parents and guardians via Facebook, the Kids Creative Learning Center said it had only recently been “made aware of a distressing incident involving inappropriate conduct by a staff member.
“We want to emphasize that the safety and protection of your child are our highest priorities, and we treat any such incidents with the utmost seriousness,” the learning center said.
“The staff member responsible for these actions has been terminated, and we will fully cooperate with any legal authorities involved in this matter,” the learning center continued. “Your children’s safety remains our foremost concern. To prevent such incidents from occurring in the future, we are currently reviewing and strengthening our policies, procedures, and training protocols. We are committed to establishing a secure, nurturing, and supportive environment for all the children under our care.”
The Kids Creative Learning Center did not respond to a request for additional comment on Thursday.
According to DCF, the agency first received a report about the incidents on Monday and multiple subsequent reports in the days that followed.
“The callers included the daycare director, multiple parents and concerned citizens including one individual who resides of out of state,” said Ken Mysogland, chief administrator of external affairs at DCF.
Mysogland said the investigation of “child maltreatment allegations” is being conducted by his agency along with the Hartford Police Department “as well as our partners at the Office of Early Childhood.”
“This is a reminder for all members of our community that regardless of the identity or relationship of the alleged perpetrator to a child, a reasonable suspicion of child maltreatment can be made to the Child Abuse and Neglect Careline by dialing 1-800-842-2288,” Mysogland said. “The Careline is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Callers to the Careline can remain anonymous.
“This is an active criminal investigation, and we are unable to release any further information at this time,” Mysogland said.
Hartford police Lt. Aaron Boisvert said investigators are “conferring with DCF” about possible criminal charges.
The state’s Office of Early Childhood said it learned of the videos on Tuesday. The agency is conducting its own investigation into the Kids Creative Learning Center, which it said is a licensed early care and education program.
“The OEC has confirmed that the program has terminated one staff involved with the situation,” the office said in a statement. “The OEC is conducting its own investigation regarding this report and may collaborate with the Department of Children and Families to conduct the investigation.”
