After noticing their toddler’s strange behavior, a Columbus family decided to install a hidden camera to film their babysitter while they were not at home.
After reviewing the footage, the babysitter now faces charges for repeatedly hitting the child, WCMH reports.
Babysitter Faces Charges After Hidden Camera Footage Appeared to Show Repeated Abuse. Watch the Disturbing Video Below:
The parents made the decision to use a hidden camera after they noticed their toddler covering her face each time they tried to pick her up, according to the family’s attorney, Emmanuel Olawale. While the parents had their suspicions, the family never expected to discover repeated abuse.
The 21-year-old babysitter was hired six months ago after the parents of the now 20-month-old baby returned to work in their offices.
“The reason they’re there, is to watch the child,” said Olawale. “And if you look at what the babysitter is doing, she was browsing the phone. That’s not what she was hired to do.”
The footage shows the child being struck in the head by the babysitter just minutes before she is repeatedly struck. The child did not even cry despite being hit hard enough that the sound was picked up by the camera.
“Which to me it shows it’s been happening for a while. There’s no way for the parents to know or the baby to report it,” alleged Olawale.
The camera was installed two days before the first instance of abuse allegedly occurred.
The sitter was arrested and charged in Franklin County, Ohio with endangering a child and abuse. However, both of these charges are merely misdemeanors.
“The parents feel that the charges should be more than that, because especially judging the age of the victim. There’s no way the victim could have spoken for herself, and judging from the fact that this was not an isolated incident. It has been going on for a while, they just didn’t know.” the family’s attorney continued.
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“We want people to pay attention and know that sometimes when you give caregivers the license to care for your baby you should also watch out,” he concluded.
While the video itself is shocking, it’s smart to pay close attention to your own children’s behavior, especially when they are in someone else’s care when you are not around. Installing a camera up front and telling the babysitter that one is installed is the best course of action. This ensures everyone is safe and doing exactly as they should.
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