NJ Daycare Workers Physically Assaulted, Force Fed Kids: Report

Update: After a full jury trial, Cecilia A. Ruiz-Perez was acquitted of all charges on Jan. 16, 2025.

VINELAND, NJ - Five workers at a South Jersey day care were charged with child endangerment and neglect charges following accusations of forced feeding, restraining and assaulting children in their care, according to an NJ.com report.

All employees charged worked at the now-closed Vineland Infant-Toddler Center in Vineland, with charges stemming from incidents that allegedly occurred in August and were captured on surveillance video, the outlet reported.

Citing affidavits of multiple employees, NJ.com reports that the abuse consisted of employees Marcia A. Green, 48, of Fairfield Township, and Allison L. Willis, 28, of Shiloh, assaulting, force feeding and aggressively restraining children. Ruiz-Perez, 27, of Bridgeton, Martha R. Gil, 39, of Vineland, and Emmaliz Torres, 20, of Millville, were also captured on surveillance video grabbing and restraining children, the publication said.

Torres was observed “back handing” a child in the head and “restraining” a child “to force feed him,” NJ.com reported, citing Torres’ affidavit.

The caretakers were reportedly released on summonses and are slated to appear in court next month.

The investigation is ongoing.

Those with relevant information about the case are asked to contact prosecutor’s office Detective Ashley Cornwall at 856-453-0486, ext. 13372.