Oaks, Pennsylvania Day Care Worker Charged with Assaulting Two Baby Girls
Summary:
A Montgomery County teacher has been charged with assaulting two infants under her care at a day care center in Oaks. One of the children remains hospitalized with severe injuries.
Authorities in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, have charged a Phoenixville woman with assaulting two infants at a day care center in Oaks, following investigations into separate incidents earlier this summer.
Catalina Baldwin was arrested on Thursday and is facing multiple charges, including aggravated assault, according to Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele’s office.
The most recent investigation began on July 9, when Upper Providence Township Police responded to a report of a 7-month-old girl found unresponsive at Oaks Early Learning Center on Egypt Road. According to the criminal complaint, Baldwin was caring for the infant, identified as SF, and two other babies in the center’s infant room at the time.
At approximately 10 a.m., Baldwin contacted school director Christina Dolga via text, asking her to come to the infant room. When Dolga arrived, she found the baby limp and unable to support her head. Firefighters already present at the facility for a scheduled program were asked to provide immediate medical assistance, as the child appeared to be experiencing seizures.
The infant was transported to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in King of Prussia and later flown to CHOP in Philadelphia for emergency surgery. Doctors reported brain bleeding and injuries to the baby’s brain, spine, and eyes. She remains hospitalized, according to the district attorney's office. The child had only been attending the day care for three days, and her parents stated she was in good health when they dropped her off that morning.
Baldwin told investigators there had been no incidents involving falls or drops that day, as noted in the complaint. However, the Child Protection Team at CHOP determined that the injuries were life-threatening and likely the result of "traumatic force."
Police obtained Baldwin’s phone records and discovered a message she had sent on the same day, in which she referred to the baby as "a nightmare."
Another investigation involving Baldwin dates back to June 2. That day, Upper Providence police received a report about a 5-month-old girl, identified as ECW, who was admitted to CHOP with an unexplained mouth injury. The injury under her tongue affected her ability to eat and required a feeding tube, according to the complaint.
Baldwin and Dolga told the infant’s mother that the injury was likely caused by the baby putting a broken wicker basket in her mouth, although no staff member had witnessed this happening. The baby had previously sustained a bruise on her cheek, which staff attributed to her rolling onto toys.
Medical experts at CHOP concluded that ECW's injuries were inconsistent with typical developmental behavior for a child her age and that rolling onto a toy would not have caused such trauma.
The complaint states that Baldwin was the sole caregiver for both children at the time their injuries occurred.
A preliminary hearing for Baldwin has been scheduled for August 12.
In a letter to families, Oaks Early Learning Center stated that the employee had worked in child care for 12 years, with 11 of those years free of any reported issues. The letter noted that Baldwin will not return to work while the charges are pending.
The center added that it is conducting its own internal investigation and is committed to uncovering the truth. It emphasized its adherence to Department of Human Services protocols and announced plans to install cameras in every classroom to enhance monitoring.
“Our top priority remains the care and well-being of the children and staff,” the letter stated. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the child and her family.”