Greenwich Child Care Worker Force-Fed 17-Month-Old Boy, Cops Say

GREENWICH, CT — A Greenwich child care worker was arrested on a warrant Wednesday in connection with an alleged child abuse case where the worker was videotaped force-feeding a 17-month-old boy to the point of the child choking, gagging and crying, according to police.

Greenwich resident Karen Von Tobel, 56, of Hamilton Avenue, surrendered to police Wednesday and was charged with risk of injury to a minor and cruelty to persons in connection with the Oct. 16 incident at the Greenwich-based facility. The name of the child care center, located on St. Roch Avenue, was not disclosed.

"Detectives from the Department's Special Victims Section conducted an investigation which included viewing a video taken by another employee of the incident and interviews of involved parties," wrote Greenwich Police Capt. Robert Berry in a statement. "The video depicts the child having food forced into his mouth while crying, as well as gagging and choking on the food forced into his mouth."

The child did not suffer injuries, but the incident was corroborated by an eyewitness, according to Berry. The investigation was launched after Greenwich police were notified of the incident by the state Department of Children and Families.

Von Tobel was released after posting bond on bail of $25,000, and she is scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on Dec. 20.

Photo: Karen Von Tobel. Photo credit: Greenwich Police Department

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