2 daycare workers charged after 5-year-old was put in closet, police say

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE/Gray News) - A daycare worker in Indiana is accused of placing a 5-year-old in a closet, while another was arrested for not reporting the abuse.

Records show an arrest warrant was issued for Tashshavviyon Stinson, 29, on Wednesday. Stinson worked at Kindergate Developmental Child Care Center in Evansville for 10 years.

Officials said that in May, a 5-year-old claimed the child had been put in a closet on two separate occasions and even hit with the handle of a broom.

“The child made allegations that they had not been fed during the day, they had not been given a blanket at naptime, but more concerning is that the child had said they’d been locked in a closet and struck with a broom,” Sgt. Anthony Aussieker of the Evansville Police Department said.

During the investigation, police said they discovered a video that showed Stinson hitting the child with a broom, placing the child in a closet and then leaving the child there alone.

According to court records, Stinson is accused of putting the child in the closet multiple times and then going to the liquor store.

“It’s terrifying. 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. I can’t imagine the fear, anger, the crazy emotions that family is feeling now,” Aussieker said.

Police have not yet located or arrested Stinson.

During the investigation, police also arrested another daycare employee, identified as Andrea Williamson, 47. Police said Williamson was in the classroom at the time of the incident, but failed to report it.

Police said Williamson violated Indiana’s mandated reporting law and has been charged with neglect of a dependent.

“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, but if you don’t feel comfortable in intervening because of safety or whatever your concerns might be, call 9-1-1,” Aussieker said.

Williamson was arrested and is out on bond. Her court date is July 28.