Day care director seen on camera hitting 1-year-old in face for not eating, PA cops say
A Pennsylvania day care director is accused of abusing five toddlers in her care, police said.
Melissa M. Populo, 38, of McKees Rocks was charged July 2 with five counts of endangering the welfare of children, according to court records.
Attorney information for Populo was not available.
At the time of the incident, Populo was the director of Gloworms Academy, a Pittsburgh-area day care, WPXI reported.
McClatchy News reached out to Gloworms Academy for comment July 3 but did not immediately hear back.
In April, an employee told McCandless police they observed Populo on a classroom video recording hit a 14-month-old in the face for not eating, KDKA reported.
Court records say video from the day care showed Populo kicking, dragging, slapping and grabbing multiple children, WPXI reported.
The woman is also accused of force-feeding some children and carrying one child upside down by the ankle while strapped to a chair, WTAE reported.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 17, according to court records.
Populo was released on non-monetary bail, court records show.
This story was originally published July 3, 2024 at 12:20 PM with the headline "Day care director seen on camera hitting 1-year-old in face for not eating, PA cops say."
