Two former employees of a preschool in Catawba County have been charged with assaulting and abusing young children. The individuals, Cheryl Dobbs and Daisha Williams, were arrested by Maiden police following allegations brought forth by student interns from Maiden High School. The allegations involve the mistreatment of 16 children at the Rosewald Preschool Academy.
According to court documents, children aged between two and three years experienced physical abuse, including being hit, struck with a fly swatter, and sprayed in the face with a mixture of soap and water. Authorities have gathered extensive video evidence from the classroom, amounting to hundreds of hours, and have shared this footage with the children’s parents.
Parents, including those of a three-year-old child in the affected classroom, expressed shock and distress upon learning of the allegations and viewing the video evidence. One parent conveyed feelings of being upset, shaken, and disappointed, given their trust in the preschool to ensure their children’s safety.
In a recent court appearance, the bond for Dobbs was raised from $10,000 to $20,000. Although the preschool has not publicly addressed the allegations, officials have confirmed their full cooperation with the ongoing investigation.
The Human Angle
This troubling incident has significant implications for parents and caregivers, potentially affecting their sense of security and trust in childcare facilities. It underscores the importance of vigilance and the need for robust policies and procedures to ensure children’s safety in educational settings.
The allegations of abuse also raise broader concerns about oversight and accountability within preschool systems. They highlight the critical role of external observers, like the Maiden High School interns, in detecting and reporting misconduct. Such incidents may prompt parents to scrutinize childcare environments more closely and advocate for improved safeguarding measures to prevent future occurrences.