Two employees of Kids Unlimited of Prosperity daycare in Newberry County, South Carolina, were taken into custody following allegations of allowing and even encouraging children to engage in violent behavior toward each other. The Newberry County Sheriff’s Department disclosed that Ericka Sherai’ Jones and Serena Caldwell surrendered themselves at the Newberry County Detention Center after charges were made against them.
According to reports, Caldwell, 56, faces 15 counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and unlawful conduct toward a child, while Jones, 27, is charged with 14 counts of the same offense. The daycare facility, located near CR Koon Highway, has a capacity for 146 children, stated the Department of Social Services.
TV station WIS reported that Sheriff Lee Foster revealed Jones and Caldwell directed the children to slap, push, shove, and hit each other as a form of punishment or to enforce rules. Foster described the workers as “rogue employees” who were subsequently fired after management viewed surveillance footage of the incidents and reported the matter to the authorities.
Additionally, the center currently has a “B” rating from the social services department, but an inspection report from Oct. 25 noted several “high severity” deficiencies related to discipline, behavior management, ratios of staff to children, and diaper changing practices. The resolution of the discipline and behavior management issues is still listed as “pending.”
Caldwell was granted a $60,000 bond, while Jones was given a $56,000 surety bond by a magistrate judge in Newberry on Thursday afternoon.
