An arrest affidavit states the young boy needed stitches as a result of his head injury on Tuesday. BCSO says a parent listening to their child exposed the truth.
BEXAR COUNTY, Texas — A daycare employee has been accused of injuring a child at a licensed daycare facility in north Bexar County, after newly released surveillance video captured the incident inside a classroom.
Deputies with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office responded Tuesday to a report of an injured child at KIDUS Daycare Preschool, along Bulverde Road. While the child was being evaluated for a head injury, deputies reviewed surveillance video from inside the classroom.
According to an arrest affidavit, the child’s mother told deputies her son said he had been hurt by 50-year-old Veronica Jimenez. Court records state the child’s head injury was severe enough to require stitches.
The newly released video shows a wooden shelf crashing to the floor inside the classroom. Investigators say Jimenez then approached the child. The video appears to show the child raising his arms, as if bracing, before Jimenez grabbed him, causing the child to forcefully hit his head and body against a wooden shelf and fall to the floor.
Investigators say Jimenez then picked up the shelf, took the child by the arm, and walked him out of the classroom.
The affidavit also notes that what was written in the daycare’s incident report did not match what was captured on video.
Deputies say Jimenez initially told investigators the child was running when he fell and hit his head. When confronted with the video, the affidavit states Jimenez later claimed she did not grab the child but accidentally bumped into him while attempting to pick up the shelf.
Court records further state that as the child’s mother walked him to her car, the child told her, “Ms. Jimenez hurt me.” Investigators say that conversation prompted the video to be reviewed more closely, ultimately leading to Jimenez’s arrest.
An arrest warrant was obtained, and Jimenez was charged with injury to a child causing reckless bodily injury. Jail records show she was released the same day.
The sheriff’s office says the video was released not only to explain the case, but to remind parents and guardians of the importance of listening to their children.
“This mom did a great job asking the right questions, having faith in her child, and taking immediate action,” Sheriff Javier Salazar said in a statement. “Make sure you monitor your child for any new injuries or changes in behavior, and take immediate steps to report anything inappropriate.”
Child advocates say the case underscores the need for parents to pay attention to behavioral changes.
“If your child has been happy going to daycare, then suddenly they’re not, let’s pay attention and ask some questions,” said Dr. Angie White, CEO of Child Advocates San Antonio, also known as CASA. “Maybe there’s been a change in staff, or someone they’re not used to.”
White says unexplained injuries or changes in behavior should raise concerns.
“If your child is coming home with marks in unusual places or is more fussy than normal, we need to think about those things and ask questions,” she said.
White also encouraged parents to ask about access to classroom video when available.
“If the daycare’s got nothing to hide, they’re going to have no issue showing you those things,” White said.
She praised the child’s mother for taking immediate action.
“Praise God for the mother. She did exactly the right thing,” White said. “If you have any concerns with your children, trust that gut feeling and ask the questions. There’s no harm in asking.”
KIDUS Daycare released the following statement:
“We are aware of the incident involving a former employee of our center. As soon as the matter came to our attention, we took immediate administrative action, including removing the individual from duty, and followed required reporting procedures by notifying Texas Child Care Licensing. Law enforcement then conducted their investigation, and we have cooperated fully throughout the process. Because this matter involves children and an active investigation, we cannot comment further or provide additional details. The safety and well-being of the children in our care is our highest priority.”