Violence in Early Childhood Education: Daycare Director Caught Assaulting Child
The city of Osasco, in the greater São Paulo area, was shaken by a shocking accusation involving the owner and director of a private school. Marina Rodrigues de Lima was filmed assaulting a two-year-old boy during snack time at the Alegria de Saber Early Childhood Education School. The director is now facing investigations for mistreatment, bodily harm, subjecting a minor to humiliation and torture.PauseUnmute
Former employee reports assaults and exposes violence
Ingrid Oliveira, a former employee at the daycare center, decided to record the mistreatment on video after noticing suspicious behavior on the part of the director. In images recorded on January 29, Marina appears to be pulling the child by his shirt, pulling him away from the other students and shaking him violently. The boy, who refused to take a vitamin, was repeatedly hit in the face.
“I started noticing certain things were wrong and decided to record it. I don’t think it’s fair. If it was my daughter, I would want someone to tell me, so I did it,” Ingrid revealed in an interview with TV Globo.
Behavioral changes and physical marks worry parents
The complaint gained even more strength when Larissa Soares, mother of one of the students, reported having noticed drastic changes in her son’s behavior, as well as suspicious marks on his body. “I noticed physical signs and changes in his behavior, but he still doesn’t know how to express himself well. I always asked him, but he was never able to tell me,” said Larissa.
Another video obtained by the news team shows a disturbing episode: Marina forcing a student to pray before eating. “Heavenly Father… come on, let’s go! Pray. Aren’t you going to? Then you can give food to the others, he won’t eat until he prays,” the principal ordered.
Investigations and measures taken by authorities
Following the complaint, the Child Protection Council went to the school last Thursday to investigate the situation. The 8th Police District of Osasco opened an investigation to determine the mistreatment suffered by the two and three-year-old children. The Public Security Department reported that forensic examinations were requested for the minors, and other investigations are underway.
The reporting team reached out to Marina Rodrigues de Lima to get her version of the facts, but had not received a response by the time of the last update. Additional details about the case are being kept confidential due to the involvement of children.
The repercussions of the case have generated outrage on social media and in the school community. Parents and guardians are demanding strict measures against the director and greater oversight of early childhood education institutions. The unfolding of the investigation promises to bring to light more details about the abuse suffered by the children at the daycare.
