A former daycare worker is facing criminal charges after authorities say she allegedly assaulted a toddler in her care at a Massapequa daycare.
Police say 21-year-old Sydney Forbes, of Copiague, assaulted a 3-year-old child at Tutor Time on Grand Avenue on Oct. 5.
Anthony Zenkus, a board member with the New York chapter of the Association of Professionals Solving the Abuse of Children, called the allegations troubling.
“It’s every parent’s worst nightmare that the person who is supposed to protect their child is the one that harmed them,” Zenkus said. “That’s not the way it is supposed to go. Parents put their kids in a daycare because they want the child to be safe while they are at work or doing whatever they are doing.”
According to prosecutors, surveillance video shows Forbes chasing the 3-year-old before allegedly grabbing and squeezing the child’s shoulder. Authorities say the child was left with red marks on their arm and shoulder.
Prosecutors also say the child later told their mother, “My teacher hurt me.”
Zenkus said it was significant that the child could communicate what allegedly happened.
“That’s good to know, but we can’t depend on a three-year-old or any child to keep themselves safe. It was good that this kid was able to verbalize that, but there are many kids that aren’t,” he said.
For one of Forbes’ former co-workers, the allegations were difficult to believe.
Nasia Martin, who worked alongside Forbes at Tutor Time, said she was stunned by the accusations.
“I’m just stunned about the news that I have heard. She was a wonderful teacher. She decorated the classroom, she also made food, and we always had parties for them. She was always a good teacher,” Martin said.
Martin said Forbes quit her job at the daycare following the alleged incident.
Forbes pleaded not guilty to assault and endangering the welfare of a child. She was released with an ankle monitor and is due back in court on Friday, Nov. 20.
Police are asking anyone whose child may have been a victim to contact them.
In a statement to News 12 a Tutor Time spokesperson said the following:
"Nothing matters more to us than the safety and well-being of the children in our care. All of our staff members are expected to uphold our high standards of care, and we do not tolerate any deviation from those standards. We are aware of reports that a former assistant teacher at our school has been arrested. When a family raised a concern on October 5, we removed the individual from the classroom that same day and placed her on leave. We cooperated fully with local police, state licensing and Child Protective Services, and will continue supporting the investigation in any way we can."
