GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) — Following accusations of child abuse from the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office earlier this week, three daycare workers now find themselves in custody.
Ashlee Davis, a 33-year-old individual, stands accused of abusing minors who were under her care at the facility. This information was included in a statement released by the sheriff’s department on Tuesday. She has been charged with one count of misdemeanor child abuse. Additionally, Jennifer Bertroch, aged 54, and Dana Bocconcelli, age 43—who work at the same facility—are each dealing with misdemeanor accusations including child abuse, being an accomplice, and failing to report suspected child abuse as mandated by Colorado statutes.
Paola Coronado posted on Facebook today about an incident involving her 18-month-old son, Adrian, who reportedly experienced physical abuse at their daycare center, Centro de la Familia, particularly at the Echo Canyon branch. According to another parent whose child attends Centro de la Familia, "It appears the teacher pinned the boy face-down under her knees and held him down. Each time he cried out or tried to squirm free, she pressed harder with her legs and pushed his head downward to make him cease."
Coronado additionally shared surveillance video of the supposed mistreatment on her Facebook. post.
Coronado mentioned that she first learned of the abuse on Friday, April 18th, after receiving a phone call from the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office. They notified her that Ashlee Davis, who is accused of committing the abuse, had been taken into custody due to allegations of child abuse. The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday, April 15th, which is three days prior to Coronado being alerted about it.
Based on Mesa County Jail documents, the three women are no longer detained at the facility.
Davis is scheduled to be in court on April 25 at 9:30 a.m. for a status conference. The court dates for Bocconcelli and Bertroch are set for May 12 at 9:30 a.m., with similar proceedings planned as well.
A parent of a Centro de la Familia student stated, 'These mandated reporters shouldn’t be present if they aren’t going to report when a child is being physically restrained. They have absolutely no business working with children in such circumstances.'
On April 22, the child care center issued this message to all parents.
