Police: Daycare teacher arrested for slapping child

HALFMOON, N.Y. ( NEWS10 ) — A Mechanicville woman was arrested after a report of child abuse at Maple Leaf Daycare in Halfmoon. NEWS10 has the court documents that outline what allegedly happened.

The accusatory paperwork from Halfmoon Town Court alleges that Hannah Bunce, 63, slapped a one-year-old child at the Maple Leaf Daycare’s Halfmoon location.

The Office of Children and Family Services(OCFS) is investigating claims of child endangerment at a daycare center that has six Capital Region locations. NEWS10 has reached out for more information, but they said they cannot comment on an active investigation.

The incident was alleged to have happened on April 4. The parents say they were not informed until the 10 ^th when Maple Leaf told them the child was thrown into a crib and the Saratoga Department of Social Services was involved.

According to the document the boy’s family was not informed of the slap for a week. It wasn’t until the 11 ^th that they would learn from DSS that their son was slapped by his teacher.

Court documents outline a statement made by a fellow teacher from the Halfmoon location stating in part, “Hannah slapped [name redacted] with an open hand, with her right hand striking him in his left cheek causing him to cry and a red mark on his cheek.”

The teacher goes on to say in her statement Bunce was no longer employed. We have reached out to Maple Leaf numerous times. They have not responded to questions about when Bunce was let go. In letters sent to families they detailed actions taken after an incident, including firings and emergency trainings.

The court document says Bunce is facing two charges, one for Harassment in the second and another for Child Endangerment, a misdemeanor. “It’s a crime that carries with it a maximum penalty of one year in the county jail up to three years of probation and fines and state surcharges could also be assessed,” said Schillinger.

In the court paperwork the family says they would like to press charges against Hannah for allegedly slapping their son.

“If you hold a licensed position and you’re convicted of a crime there’s a high degree of likelihood that you’re going to lose your license and that’s going to prohibit you from working,” said Schillinger.

Bunce was released on an appearance ticket and asked to return to court at a later date. A check on the OCFS website the Halfmoon location is still pending revocation and denial.

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