Oklahoma Home Daycare Worker Charged With Child Abuse After Video Allegedly Shows Her Harming Children With Wet Wipes

“I NEED YOU TO STOP CRYING”!!! BELIEVE IT OR NOT, POLICE SAY AN OKLAHOMA DAYCARE WORKER FORCED WET WIPES INTO CHILDREN’S MOUTHS AND SLAMMED A CHILD ON A CHANGING TABLE… AND SHE HAS NOW BEEN CHARGED WITH THREE COUNTS OF CHILD ABUSE.

A surveillance camera inside a home daycare captured an employee physically harming two children, according to police.

The incident occurred on June 26 at a residence located in Moore, Oklahoma.

Moore is a community situated roughly a 10-mile drive south from Oklahoma City.

According to an affidavit obtained by KOCO-TV, 25-year-old Samantha Pearson was caring for several children at the Moore residence on that date.

Police said the recorded abuse included Pearson placing wet wipes directly into the mouths of children.

The affidavit stated that Pearson was in the process of changing diapers when she pushed the wipes into their mouths “to get them to stop crying.”

At the home daycare on June 26, Pearson was also seen placing a different wet wipe into one child’s mouth as that child attempted to spit out another, according to KOCO-TV’s reporting on the affidavit.

Then the surveillance camera recorded further physical mistreatment directed at one of the young children.

Footage captured Pearson “slamming” one of the two children down on a changing table when that child attempted to “crawl away,” KOCO-TV reported based on the affidavit.

Police reported that the surveillance video additionally showed Pearson deliver an “open-hand” slap to the child.

According to the probable cause affidavit, the District 21 District Attorney’s Office noted that “investigators reviewed video” showing Pearson allegedly “physically mistreating” children in her care.

The initial news release distributed by the prosecutor’s office stated that the victims were babies.

But office spokesperson Xavier Cullens subsequently clarified the ages of the children involved in the incident.

Cullens confirmed via email, in response to an inquiry from Us, that the two children were actually ages 3 and 4.

On Tuesday, August 25, the District 21 District Attorney’s Office officially announced the criminal charges filed against Pearson.

Pearson faces three felony counts of child abuse in connection with the daycare allegations.

The District 21 District Attorney’s Office has jurisdictional authority serving Cleveland, Garland and McClain counties.

Prosecutors confirmed that Pearson was being held on a $300,000 bond as of August 25.

Prosecutors did not provide details specifying who owns the home daycare property where Pearson was employed.

And state regulators have initiated their own inquiry into the Moore residence.

The Oklahoma Department of Human Services confirmed to KOCO-TV that the agency is actively investigating the alleged abuse.

The state agency also stated that Pearson does not hold a childcare license.

In announcing the formal charges against Pearson, the District 21 District Attorney’s Office released a statement regarding the legal process.

“Charges are based on probable cause that a person has committed a crime. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law,” the District 21 District Attorney’s Office said.

A person convicted of child abuse in Oklahoma faces severe statutory penalties under state law.

According to Hunsucker Legal Group, a law firm based in Oklahoma City, someone found guilty of child abuse in the state could face up to life in prison.

A conviction under the statute also carries the potential for a fine of up to $5,000, according to the firm.

Resources remain available for individuals who suspect or witness instances of child mistreatment.

If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.

The charges are allegations and have not been proven in court.