by MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – A former day care worker at the Town & Country Early Learning Center in Middletown has pleaded guilty after being caught on surveillance throwing a 2-year-old child into a wall, leaving a visible injury.
The employee, 48-year-old Kristie Kovarcik, pleaded guilty on Friday to:
- One felony count of risk of injury to a child
- Three misdemeanor counts of second-degree reckless endangerment
What Happened
The incident occurred in October 2023, but police were not notified until January 2024, and Kovarcik was arrested in February following an investigation. The facility reported the incident to the parents and showed them surveillance footage, which led the parents to alert the police.
According to the warrant, Kovarcik picked up the toddler by the shirt and launched the child into a wall “like a piece of luggage”, causing a minor contusion above the right eye. The facility’s director reviewed camera footage after hearing a commotion, saw the incident, and immediately removed the child from the room.
Pattern of Abuse
Further investigation uncovered multiple incidents of abuse:
- On Jan. 8, 2023, she lifted another child by the shirt and dropped them to the ground
- Kicked a child who was already lying on the floor
- Forcefully pushed a child in the chest during nap time
- On Nov. 1, 2023, she was seen shoving another child aside
During an interview, Kovarcik reportedly said, “I just kinda lost my cool”, describing the day as “very chaotic.” Though she initially denied mistreating any children, her claims were disproven by surveillance footage.
Facility Response and Next Steps
The day care center told the news outlet they immediately terminated Kovarcik, launched an internal review, and notified authorities. The center emphasized that child safety is its top priority.
Kovarcik is scheduled to appear in court for sentencing on September 25, 2025 as per Greenwitch Times.
What are your thoughts on this incident? Share your comments and stay tuned to ColourfulClearwater for the latest updates.
