Day Care Worker Accused Of Slapping Child At McGaw YMCA Faces Felony

EVANSTON, IL — A day care worker has been charged with aggravated battery to a child after authorities said she was recorded slapping a 4-year-old boy.

Ganiyat Alabi Alderounmu, 36, was supervising children as they played in the gymnasium July 26 at the McGaw YMCA at Family Focus, 2010 Dewey Ave., prosecutors said.

"[Alabi Alderounmu] can be seen on camera using her hand to slap the face of [the boy] two times," Assistant State's Attorney Alexandra O'Hehir said Tuesday at her initial court appearance in Skokie. "[The boy] disclosed the following day to his mother that his teacher had slapped him."

According to prosecutors, the charge of aggravated battery to a child under 13 is non-detainable — unless that child suffers permanent disability or great bodily harm — under Illinois' new offense-based system of pretrial release.

Evanston police said Alabi Alderounmu turned herself in Monday at the police department to be booked, at which point she was released ahead of her first appearance in court to set conditions of her pretrial release.

Alabi Alderounmu, a resident of Chicago's West Ridge neighborhood, was ordered not to have any contact with any child who is not a family member, with Associate Judge Anthony Calabrese saying that he intended to ensure that she was not employed as a child care professional while awaiting trial.

Harry Field, her defense attorney, said Alabi Alderounmu is a mother of three and is no longer employed at the child care center. She is due back in court to be indicted on Oct. 12.

Patch requested details about the dates of Alabi Alderounmu's employment at the center from representatives of the McGaw YMCA at Family Focus.

Luba Dimitrova, director of early childhood programs at McGaw YMCA, told Patch she was unsure if she was able to comment on the matter. And McGaw YMCA spokesperson Evangaline Semark did not answer questions about how long Alabi Alderounmu worked at for the not-for-profit, when she left its employment and whether she resigned or was fired.

"We are aware of the allegations of an incident involving a former employee in our Head Start program," Semark said in a statement.

"The McGaw YMCA has made the safety of children and everyone we serve a top priority. We take these allegations very seriously and are cooperating fully with all relevant authorities and agencies," she continued. "We remain committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all members and participants in our programs."

According to its website, the McGaw YMCA Children's Center is one of the largest licensed childcare providers in Evanston.

"Our experienced and highly trained staff are committed to providing exciting learning opportunities," it said, "that nurture your child's cognitive, social-emotional, physical, and creative development."