ICYMI: Union County Daycare Employees Encouraged 'Fight Club' Behavior Among Children, Prosecutor Says

Two former Cranford daycare employees have been charged for allegedly instigating and encouraging fights among a group of children at the Lightbridge Academy last month, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office announced.

The Union County Prosecutor’s Office said two caretakers at the facility, located on South Avenue East, instigated fights among children between the ages of 4 and 6.

Chanese White, 28, of Roselle has since been charged with fourth-degree child abuse. Erica Kenny, 22, of Cranford is charged with fourth-degree child abuse as well as third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

Kenny also recorded video of the fights with her cell phone and shared the video clips with friends via the social media app, Snapchat, authorities said.

“In the video clips, Kenny can be heard referencing the activity as “Fight Club,” quoting from the book and movie of the same name in encouraging the children to engage each other physically,” according to the prosecutor’s office. “Approximately a dozen boys and girls at the daycare center can be seen in the video clips shoving each other to the ground and attempting to strike each other.”

The children involved in the fights are not believed to have suffered any serious injuries. However, the investigation into this matter remains ongoing, and anyone with information is being urged to contact Prosecutor’s Office Detective Joanne Son at 908-527-4696.

White and Kenny are expected to appear in court for first appearances this Friday.

Convictions on third-degree criminal charges can result in sentences of 3 to 5 years in state prison. Fourth-degree crimes are punishable by up to 18 months in prison.