Westtown Child Care Worker Charged In Alleged Abuse Of 3 Toddlers: DA

WESTTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — A child care worker has been charged with assault after police investigated reports that she had slammed toddlers' bodies onto a wooden changing table, cursing at and bruising a child, the District Attorney's Office said.

The Chester County District Attorney’s Office and the Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police Department reported Victoria Aronson, 36, of Brookhaven, is charged with aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children, simple assault in connection with the alleged abuse of toddlers in her care, according to the DA's report.

The District Attorney's Office alleges Aronson was physically abusing three children under age two who were in her care at Malvern School in Westtown Township, late in September 2021.

Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan said, "Parents place enormous trust in the people who care for their children, and when that is broken, it has lasting effects on families and the community. The defendant's callous treatment of three toddlers was abusive and criminal, and my office will seek justice for the victims. People who work with children have a legal and moral responsibility to report any abuse and we will hold those accountable for failing to protect any children."

Oct. 7 Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police became aware of several child abuse complaints related to the Malvern School on East Pleasant Grove Road in West Chester. The complaints occurred between Sept. 29-30. The reports involved three victims who were between 14 and 16 months old.

Investigators reported they learned the defendant, who worked as a caretaker in a class for children 1 year to 18 months, used unreasonable force while interacting with three children. In one instance, investigators were told, the defendant grabbed a victim who was crying by her upper arms and slammed her onto a wooden changing table, then held the child's torso down with one arm while yelling and cursing at her. The defendant then grabbed another child and did the same thing before slamming both children onto the floor and yelling at them again, according to the report.

Witnesses told investigators they heard Aronson scream that the children needed to stop crying and to "shut the f--k up," according to the DA's report.

Police said an eyewitness stated that she observed the defendant hold one of the victims in a headlock position, causing the victim's head to hit the door. On another occasion, Aronson slammed a different victim to the ground outside with such force that the child began to cry, the report said.

The DA's report said one victim was taken to the pediatrician with bruising and a cut under an eye.

Westtown East Goshen Police are investigating. Anyone with further information is asked to call Det. Michael Meiswich at 610-696-9600. Assistant District Attorney Zachary Yurick is the assigned prosecutor.

The District Attorney's Office advises residents to call Childline if they suspect child abuse: 1-800-932-0313.

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