Daycare Owner Guilty After Child Secretly Recorded Infant Abuse

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — A McHenry County jury has found a Crystal Lake daycare owner guilty of abusing an 11-month-old infant at an unlicensed daycare after a 10-year-old child secretly recorded the incident on a cellphone, prosecutors announced Wednesday.

Ann L. Migliorato, 63, was convicted of three counts of aggravated battery to a child, Class X felonies, and one count of unlawful operation of a child care facility, a Class A misdemeanor. The jury returned its verdict after about one hour of deliberations following a three-day trial, according to the McHenry County State's Attorney's Office.

Prosecutors said Migliorato was operating an unlicensed daycare from her home in the 1400 block of Woodscreek Circle in Crystal Lake during the spring of 2024. On April 11, 2024, a 10-year-old girl attending the daycare became concerned about the way Migliorato was handling an 11-month-old during a diaper change and secretly recorded the encounter on a cellphone, according to prosecutors.

The girl later showed the video to her mother, who contacted the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, prompting an investigation that led to the criminal charges.

Jurors watched the cellphone video during the trial.

Prosecutors said it showed Migliorato using her body weight to force the infant's legs above his head while restraining him during the diaper change. The infant could be heard crying before making gurgling and grunting sounds, while Migliorato allegedly told the child, "I don't play, dude," according to prosecutors.

Medical testimony established the infant suffered a fractured rib during the time period shown in the video, prosecutors said. Doctors also determined the child had two additional healing rib fractures that were consistent with prior abuse.

Migliorato is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 8 in McHenry County court.

"Children should never have to protect one another from the very adults entrusted with their care," McHenry County State's Attorney Randi Freese said in a statement. "Yet in this case, the courage and quick thinking of one young child to record what was happening helped expose the truth and secure justice for this victim. We hope this verdict sends a clear message that those who abuse children will be held accountable."

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