(Pa) Day-care employee charged with attempted murder of a 1-year-old, abusing another

An employee of a Camden County child-care center has been charged with assaulting a 1-year-old and abusing another, authorities announced Saturday. Maggie Fruit, 21, of Somerdale, has been charged with attempted murder and endangering the welfare of a child in connection with the incidents, which occurred Thursday, according to a statement by acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer and Lindenwold Borough Police Chief Michael P. McCarthy.

Authorities said a 911 call at 1:41 p.m. Thursday reported a child being abused at the center. When police arrived, they were shown a surveillance video that captured the assault, which witnesses also described, according to the statement. The child was taken to a hospital for examination and released, authorities said.

About 30 minutes before that child was assaulted, the statement said, Fruit was being “physically abusive” to another 1-year-old in the same classroom, the surveillance video also showed, according to the statement. That child did not require medical attention, authorities said.

Fruit, who has worked at the day-care center for two months, was charged Thursday and sent to the Camden County Jail, where she awaits a pretrial detention hearing.

https://www.inquirer.com/news/daycare-center-employee-attempted-murder-south-jersey-20210717.html

Maggie Fruit