NEWFANE, N.Y. — Two employees at a Niagara County daycare are facing charges for endangering the welfare of a child.
Victoria Stanton, 22, of Lockport is facing two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and Karon Anterline, 66 of Newfane is charged with one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
"It's been a living hell for our family," said Michelle, who is the great aunt of one of two girls under five who were allegedly abused at the Sweet Angels Daycare in Newfane. "She was not the sweet little happy girl that she always was. She was mad and saying don't touch me."
Michelle says the her great niece continues to see a psychologist.
According to the New York State Police Lockport, they received a complaint back in February about possible abusive treatment at the Sweet Angels Daycare in Newfane. Investigators say both women allegedly used excessive force while dealing with children.
"We're confident in the arrest that we made with the evidence we have that we're going to submit to the district attorney's office in Niagara County," said trooper James O'Callaghan with the New York State Police.
Stanton and Anterline were issued appearance tickets. According to the Niagara County District Attorney's Office, Stanton is back in court November 28, and Anterline is in court on September 19.
"If you don't like kids or can't handle them, you shouldn't be around them," Michelle said. "It's definitely a start of relief and healing that we're going to get justice for out little girl."
A spokesperson for the daycare center sent this statement:
“For over 25 years, Sweet Angels Daycare has provided high quality learning services to thousands of children across the region. We have earned a strong reputation and earned the trust of parents and caregivers of these children which we are so privileged to serve.
That trust and responsibility unfortunately has been jeopardized as a result of charges against two former employees from our Newfane facility by the Niagara County District Attorney.
The allegations against the former employees occurred almost a year ago and during that time both left the organization. At no time did parents of the children from our Newfane facility raise any issues with management regarding these employees.
Regardless, we take our responsibilities in serving the children enrolled in our daycare program very seriously and we are fully cooperating with the Niagara County District Attorney’s office regarding this matter.
Sweet Angels Daycare offers a safe and fun learning environment where every child has the opportunity to explore, grow, discover, and learn about the world around them in an exciting classroom atmosphere.
While these charges are extremely troubling it will not impact our commitment to serving the children enrolled in our centers and their families and caregivers we serve. We remain resolute in this commitment."