A 41-year-old Central City woman faces charges in Marion County Court in connection with alleged aggravated battery to a child while a teacher at the BCMW Head Start Program in Centralia.
Renee Davis of North Harrison was arrested by Centralia Police on Tuesday after they reviewed video of three incidents involving three four-year-olds that occurred on February 26th in a Head Start classroom. Centralia Police Lieutenant Steve Whritenour says they entered the ongoing investigation at the request of the Department of Children and Family Services.
Davis will make a first appearance Wednesday afternoon on four counts of aggravated battery to a child under 13 and three misdemeanor counts of child endangerment. The State’s Attorney’s office argued for Davis to remain in custody pending further court action, but Public Defender Craig Griffin successfully argued state statue did not allow a person to be denied bond on these particular charges. A preliminary hearing and first appearance with counsel was set for March 24th.
Whritenour says the first incident showed one of the four-year-olds by himself who was violently grabbed by the arms and pulled across the floor before being forced to sit on a mat. The boy was later grabbed by the arms, picked up, and carried to a seat.
The second incident involved a different four-year-old boy apparently not following directions when cots were brought out for a rest period. The teacher appears to kick the cot with the child still on it several times to try and move it. The child eventually fell off and then was shaken forward and backwards until vomiting. The video showed the teacher then helping the child clean-up.
Whritenour reports the third incident involved a child refusing to sit down and sticking his tongue out at the teacher. She then allegedly grabbed the child’s arm behind his back causing the boy to wince.
Whritenour says they are continuing to work with DCFS and will review other video to see if there were any other incidents. He says Davis has a clean record.
A DCFS spokesman told WJBD/WSIQ news this an active investigation and they cannot comment.
The Executive Director of the Social Service Agency BCMW Jessica Backs told WJBD-WSIQ news they are aware of the situation and the safety and well-being of the children they serve is their highest priority. Backs says they are cooperating fully with law enforcement and the appropriate authorities. She notes because this is an active investigation, they are unable to comment on specific details or personnel matters at this time. Backs says their program remains committed to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for every child and family they serve.
