Daycare Center ‘Mistakenly’ Served Bleach Solution to Children, Months After 3 Employees Were Charged with Alleged Abuse

A prestigious New York daycare center found itself in hot water when an employee mistakenly served children a bleach solution from a pitcher that was supposed to contain water. Bright Horizons Daycare, which had already been under scrutiny after three employees were charged with child endangerment and assault, faced backlash once again due to this unfortunate incident that occurred on October 27. The incident resulted in the closure of the preschool program as the Health Department deemed it necessary to shut down the center indefinitely to assess the risks posed by exposing children to the toxic chemical.

According to a statement released by Bright Horizons, the incident was an unfortunate mistake. The daycare emphasized that the safety and well-being of the children in their care are their top priorities. The company explained that a staff member had inadvertently refilled the pitcher from a dispenser containing a diluted cleaning solution meant for sanitizing toys. This cleaning solution, comprising two gallons of water with a small amount of bleach, was mistakenly served to the children.

The seriousness of the situation became evident when a teacher at the daycare consumed the cleaning solution and had to contact poison control upon realizing the error. As concerns grew regarding the safety protocols at the daycare, Erin O’Connor, the director of the NYU Early Childhood Education program, expressed shock over the incident. O’Connor highlighted the need for stringent safety measures to prevent toxic materials from coming into contact with water supplies meant for children, raising questions about the adequacy of the response to the previous abuse allegations.

This unsettling incident unfolded just months after three former employees, Evelyn Vargas, Shakia Henley, and Latia Townes, were arrested on charges of abusing several children under their care, aged between one and two years old. Shocked parents and observers expressed disbelief over the recurrence of such lapses in child safety measures at the daycare. The disturbing allegations from the previous child abuse case included accusations of physical abuse, forced consumption of harmful substances, and inappropriate restraint techniques employed on the toddlers.

Despite the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the previous abuse case, the indicted former employees have pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, responsible for prosecuting the case, highlighted the severity of the alleged mistreatment of the toddlers. The employees are facing multiple charges related to endangering the welfare of a child, with additional charges of assault and attempted assault being brought against some of them.

The daycare’s reputation took a significant hit following these distressing incidents, leading to concerns about the effectiveness of their internal oversight and child protection policies. As the investigations into both cases continue, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and well-being of all children in daycare facilities. The incidents serve as a stark reminder of the critical importance of maintaining rigorous safety standards and robust oversight in institutions responsible for the care and development of young children.