Docs: Arrest warrant issued for daycare worker accused of pushing 5-year-old

INDIANAPOLIS -- An arrest warrant has been issued for a worker accused of pushing a child at a daycare on the north side of Indianapolis last month.




According to court documents obtained by FOX59/CBS4, 21-year-old Donielle Gladney is facing a Level 6 Felony charge for Battery on a Person less than 14 years old.




An investigation into Gladney was launched on May 22 when a detective with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department's Child Abuse Unit was called to investigate a report of alleged physical abuse at the Academy for Young Achievers, located at 6601 Grandview Drive.




The report claimed that Gladney, who was working as a teacher at the daycare at the time, had allegedly pushed a 5-year-old. The victim said their left leg was hurting, so their mother brought them to a hospital. While the victim was in the hospital, they reportedly disclosed that Gladney had pushed them, causing their leg to be cut.




The victim said Gladney had pushed them because they reportedly pushed another child, according to court documents.




As part of their investigation, the detective met and spoke with the director of education at the Academy for Young Achievers. The director confirmed that Gladney began working at the academy on Oct. 30, 2024, and was most recently assigned to work in the toddler room.




When the director first became aware of the alleged incident, they immediately began reviewing video surveillance that was captured via the school's video security system.




The director said the footage appeared to show Gladney "lunge forward" in the direction of the victim and "shove them in the back onto the ground," court documents said. The detective ultimately had a search warrant approved to acquire and look through the security footage.




The director also noted that another teacher was present and witnessed the incident as it unfolded. However, they did not report it. The director said they approached the teacher the next day, calling their actions "unacceptable." The director confirmed that this teacher was ultimately let go, court documents showed.




On June 4, the victim's mother reported waking up in the middle of the night to their child "screaming and crying about their leg," court documents said. The child claimed it was broken and went on to state that a substitute teacher had reportedly pushed them from behind. The mother then drove the victim to a hospital to be evaluated.




Online court records indicate an arrest warrant was issued for Gladney out of Marion Superior Court 26 on June 20.





via: https://fox59.com/news/docs-arrest-warrant-issued-for-daycare-worker-accused-of-pushing-5-year-old/