Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By John Jensen, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Kannapolis, North Carolina, it was reported that a day care worker was caught on video surveillance tape at the day care center mistreating children under her care. Police have charged the woman (Whitney Belk) with five counts of criminal assault for her actions. The day care center, Kids Korner Child Development Center, had video surveillance in place. The administrator (Danielle Mauldin) of the North Carolina child care center viewed videotape and then terminated Ms. Belk as an employee. The use of video surveillance can be used as evidence in criminal case. More day care centers should consider installing and utilizing videotape surveillance as a safety precaution and measure for children. Videotape surveillance can answer questions and settle disputes when there is a question as to how a child was injured or how a child was handled or treated by a teacher, assistant, and / or other staff member at the day care center. Unfortunately, staff members and employees at day care centers in North Carolina and other States continue to abuse and neglect children at a location that should be a safe haven for children. See North Carolina Care Worker Accused of Assaulting Children.
When a child is injured as a result of the neglect or abuse of a day care center, there are many issues and challenges for the child as well as the parents. Does the child have legal rights? What recourse if available for the injured child? Does there have to be a criminal investigation to pursue a civil case? What damages can the child recover for the abuse and neglect at the day care center. The book titled – The ABCs of Child Injury – Legal Rights of the Injured Child – What Every Parent Should Know – is a good resource for parents dealing with these and other issues. Go to Free Child Injury Book – Resource for Parents. The book is also available for $4.99 at the following sites: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple iBooks.