ANDERSON, Ind. — Anderson police arrested a 20-year-old day care worker Wednesday for neglect after allegations surfaced that a child with autism was mistreated. The boy's mother reported the allegations to police after a former day care worker came forward.
"I think the people that done this to my son should be held accountable," Tara Sheets said. "I don't think that day care should be operating at all."
13 Investigates learned Anderson police arrested the boy's teacher for reckless supervision of a child, neglect of dependent and confinement. The YMCA of Madison County said the worker was fired following the arrest, as well as the director of the YMCA Early Learning Childcare Facility at Madison Park.
Anderson police tell 13 Investigates they are still investigating, and another arrest could be forthcoming. However, the Madison County Prosecutor's Office has not filed charges.
The former worker who first reported the allegations agreed to speak to 13 Investigates, but asked to remain anonymous.
"I just couldn't stand for it," the worker said to 13 Investigates.
She reported Dean's teacher used duct tape so the 3-year-old could not take off his diaper. The former worker also said she saw the child left unattended for up to an hour in a classroom. He was also reportedly left alone in the bathroom.
"I told them that I was going to call DCS and they fired me later that day," she said.
The worker shared termination documentation that 13 Investigates reviewed. The documents state she was fired for poor job performance.
Two other former day care workers, who left on their own, tell 13 Investigates they too saw the duct tape on the diaper and the child left alone.
"Even if there wasn't malicious intent, it still put a child in danger," said Karly Sciortion-Poulter, director of The Arc of Advocacy Network. "And no child should be placed in danger like that."
Sciortion-Poulter said the treatment is unacceptable for any child. The Arc Advocacy Network supports families and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The YMCA Early Learning Childcare Facility at Madison Park is an unlicensed registered ministry.
While they follow basic safety regulations, staff does not need specific training to care for children with special needs like a licensed childcare center must have.
State records show state inspectors listed the diaper issue as one of six violations during a visit on Aug. 29.
A YMCA spokesman sent a statement saying while it does not have specific training program it does "look for candidates who have experience caring for children with special needs."
13 Investigates confirmed weeks before the police investigation and arrest the day care notified three families it was no longer able to care for their children because their needs "went beyond (their) scope of care." The former day care workers tell 13 Investigates all three children had autism.
Sciortion-Poulter said her group encourages families to find a licensed childcare center but acknowledges finding childcare is difficult for all families.
Sheets said she notified the day care Dean had autism before choosing the facility. She reports she was told they could handle the boy. She reports putting her son in the YMCA day care until he could be admitted to a special therapy program which has a 6-month waiting list. Dean is currently in the care of family and friends until he's able to get a spot in the program.