MAYPEARL, TX – A Texas day care worker is facing serious criminal charges after allegedly biting a 3-year-old child in response to the boy biting another student at the Little Angels of Maypearl youth center in Ellis County.
According to Maypearl Police, 54-year-old Elisha Daniel was arrested last week and charged with felony injury to a child after surveillance footage reportedly showed her sinking her teeth into the child’s arm during the incident.
Shocking Incident Captured on Camera
Police said the alleged assault took place inside the Little Angels of Maypearl day care, where Daniel was employed. Captain David Smith of the Maypearl Police Department described the footage as deeply disturbing.
“She was very aggressive. Very angry,” Smith said in a statement to local outlet KDFW. “She reaches out and grabs the student by the arm, pulls him toward her, then places his arm in her mouth. You can see a look of anguish or pain come across the child’s face — and you know something is not right with it.”
Authorities say the child was visibly distressed, and the footage left no doubt that physical harm had occurred.
Investigation and Arrest
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (CPS) reportedly received a complaint in October regarding the alleged attack. After investigating the claim, Child Protective Services forwarded the findings to law enforcement.
Police Chief John Shelton stated that the surveillance video was uncovered during their inquiry, and it ultimately led to Daniel’s arrest.
“If anybody wants to come forth with any additional information or any other incidents, then yes, we will investigate it,” Shelton said. “But so far we just have the one current one that we’re investigating.”
Following her arrest, Daniel was booked and later released on a $10,000 bond pending her next court hearing.
Day Care Responds to the Allegations
A staff member at Little Angels of Maypearl confirmed that Daniel is no longer employed at the facility. When contacted by Law&Crime, the employee stated, “No, she is not,” when asked if Daniel still worked there.
The day care center, which operates as a licensed child-care facility, has not issued an official public statement about the case but is believed to be cooperating with ongoing investigations.
Family Seeking Justice
The family of the 3-year-old boy said their son has been emotionally affected and confused by the incident. They expressed hope that he will receive justice for the trauma he endured.
The child’s parents told Law&Crime that since the incident, their son has shown signs of emotional distress and fear around adults, though he is receiving support and care.
Legal Proceedings and Community Reaction
As of now, Elisha Daniel faces felony injury to a child charges, a serious offense under Texas law that can result in substantial prison time if convicted.
Local residents have voiced outrage online, demanding tighter screening and training standards for day care employees across the state. Many parents in the community say they are now re-evaluating the child care centers their children attend.
Protecting Children in Care
Child protection experts urge parents to look for state licensing, staff background checks, and transparent reporting procedures when choosing a child care provider. Parents are also encouraged to speak with their children daily about their experiences at school or day care and to report any signs of abuse immediately.
Conclusion
The disturbing allegations against Daniel have reignited conversations about child safety and the responsibility of caregivers in Texas day care facilities. With the investigation ongoing, officials are encouraging other families to come forward if they suspect similar incidents.
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