A veteran Indiana daycare worker has been charged with child neglect and battery after police allege she repeatedly locked a 5-year-old in a closet, beat the child with a broom, and went to buy alcohol while leaving the youngster alone at Kindergate Developmental Child Care Center in Evansville.
Tashshavviyon Stinson, 29, is accused of putting the child in the closet multiple times throughout May, according to arrest reports obtained by WFIE. The veteran employee allegedly left the child locked inside while she made trips to a nearby liquor store.
Background
Stinson had worked at Kindergate for a decade before her arrest. Evansville Police Department Sgt. Anthony Aussieker described the allegations as deeply disturbing, particularly given parents' trust in childcare providers.
"You know when we as parents kind of give over some of that care to our children, you know, that's our most prized possession, so when we do that, we do it in the full faith that this person is going to take appropriate care of our child as we would if we were able to," Aussieker told WFIE. "I can't imagine the fear, anger, the crazy emotions that family is feeling now."
According to police reports, Stinson allegedly admitted during interviews that she "has had trouble with alcohol in the past" and acknowledged taking "shots before work in the past." The arrest report also states that Stinson claimed she struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts.
The Investigation
Surveillance video obtained by investigators allegedly shows Stinson placing the 5-year-old in the closet after beating them with a broom. Police say the child reported not being fed during the day and being denied a blanket at nap time, in addition to being locked in the closet and struck with the broom.
"The child made allegations that they had not been fed during the day, they had not been given a blanket at nap time, but more concerning is that the child had said they'd been locked in a closet and struck with a broom," Aussieker said.
A second daycare employee, Andrea Williamson, 47, was also charged with neglect of a dependent after allegedly failing to report Stinson's conduct as required by Indiana law. Police say Williamson violated mandated reporting requirements by not alerting authorities or management about what she witnessed.
"You don't get the out to say, 'I was waiting to see', you are mandated to report immediately, especially in that role of a caregiver," Aussieker said. "If you don't feel comfortable in intervening because of safety or whatever your concerns might be, call 911."
Key Takeaways
- Tashshavviyon Stinson, 29, faces charges of child neglect and battery on a person less than 14 years old
- Police allege she locked the 5-year-old in a closet multiple times while leaving to buy alcohol at a nearby liquor store
- Surveillance video allegedly shows her striking the child with a broom before placing them in the closet
- Stinson is a 10-year employee at Kindergate Developmental Child Care Center's downtown location at 623 Gum Street
- She admitted to having alcohol issues and taking "shots" before work, according to arrest reports
- Andrea Williamson, 47, faces charges for failing to report the abuse as required by Indiana mandated reporter law
- Stinson is being held on $25,000 bond; Williamson has been released on bond
What's Next
Stinson and Williamson are both awaiting further court proceedings at the Vanderburgh County Jail. Attempts by Law&Crime to reach the owner of Kindergate Developmental Child Care Center for comment were unsuccessful.