Penrith childcare worker Angela Evans charged with assaulting two babies
A western Sydney childcare worker allegedly assaulted “two young babies” in her care – leaving large bruises on one – before being arrested and charged by NSW Police.
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A western Sydney childcare worker allegedly assaulted “two young babies” in her care – leaving large bruises on one – before being arrested and charged by NSW Police.
A parent of one of the children has called for an investigation into the handling of the incident and pleaded with other parents to “look for the warning signs”.
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal childcare worker Angela Evans, 40, of South Penrith, was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault after she allegedly repeatedly struck the infants while working at the Penrith Early Learning Centre in Woodriff St.
The devastated mother of a helpless baby who cannot be named told this masthead that police alleged her daughter was “assaulted by her educator at daycare”.
“The injuries weren’t reported to me by the childcare worker,” she said.
“I took [the baby] home from daycare and was running a bath when I lifted her shirt and realised she had a 10 to 15-centimetre bruise across the majority of her back.”
It was then the mother sounded the alarm with Penrith Early Learning Centre and NSW Police.
A NSW Police source said the alleged assault of the babies was “captured on CCTV, with more than 30 minutes of footage”.
NSW Police told The Sunday Telegraph the woman was charged with the alleged assault of two babies at the childcare centre in Penrith.
“Officers commenced an investigation … after receiving a report a 13-month-old girl received bruising to her back after being left at a childcare centre,” a NSW Police spokeswoman said. “Inquiries by investigating police revealed a 9-month-old girl was also allegedly assaulted.”
Evans was arrested and charged after the police investigation on September 13, before being granted conditional bail.
However, questions are now being raised with the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian and NSW Education Department as to whether Evans was appropriately vetted in her working with children’s check.
The Sunday Telegraph can confirm the early learning centre applied for and recieved a “cleared” working with children’s check for Evans.
A spokeswoman for the childcare centre said it “had no idea the child had been injured on the day”, confirming an investigation had been launched “as soon as the complaint was registered”.
The Sunday Telegraph understands Evans was immediately escorted from the centre by staff and stood down
The owners of the centre told the Telegraph they are calling for a “full overhaul of the Working with Children’s Checks system”.
“We pride ourselves on being one of the top-rated and most trusted centres in the area because we put the safety and well-being of our children first,” she said.
A NSW Government source said Evans was “a perfect example of a serious case slipping through the cracks”.
A spokesman for the Children’s Guardian told this masthead “all Working with Children Check clearance holders are subject to continuous monitoring for new police or workplace records”.
“All Working with Children Check applications and clearance holders with relevant records are reviewed to determine if they should be disqualified, cleared, or referred for a risk assessment to determine the potential risk to children and young people,” he said.
A NSW Education Department spokesman told The Sunday Telegraph the regulator “took swift action” and launched an investigation into the allegations, and “any breaches related to the safety of children and the quality of care” at the centre.
“We have and will continue to work closely with NSW Police and the Office of the Children’s Guardian on this matter.”
The Sunday Telegraph can confirm the childcare worker was hit with an order from the NSW Education Department, banning her from undertaking any role working in a childcare setting.
Centre closed after bub ‘slapped’
A family childcare centre has been “permanently closed” and the owner hit with a ban from working with children after she allegedly slapped a baby girl and lifted her by the arm while a mother looked on from outside the home in horror.
NSW Police arrested th eowner of the centre, Saba Farhan, at her western Sydney home and business on Monday, later charging her with assault of the infant girl.
Police will allege the woman assaulted the child in her care at the childcare centre, by lifting the girl by a single arm and “heavily” putting her down.
It will also be alleged Farhan “smacked or slapped” the girl.
Police allege the mother of the girl returned to the home to see the woman allegedly strike the baby while she watched on from outside.
“She was taken to Penrith Police Station and charged with one count of assault school student while attending school,” a NSW Police spokesman told The Sunday Telegraph.
Saba Farhan’s husband questioned why the alleged assault was “of interest” to the public, before telling this masthead he “didn’t want to talk about it”.
However, when asked if his wife struck the baby and lifted it by the arm as it cried out, Mr Farhan said the allegations were “not as they appear” before declaring his wife would dispute the allegations against her.
An Education Department spokesman told this masthead the regulator of early childhood education and care was “investigating an alleged serious incident at a Western Sydney service” in a review separate to NSW Police.
It is understood the woman has been informed she is banned from operating a childcare centre or working in a setting with children as a result of the allegations.
Anyone who has a concern or complaint about an early childhood education and care service can contact the department on 1800 619 113 or email ececd@det.nsw.edu.au.
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