Senior Joliet Preschool Volunteer Arrested for Hitting Child

A 73-year-old volunteer has been charged with battery after reportedly hitting one of the students at a Joliet preschool, The Herald-News reports.

Lillie M. Stephen allegedly struck a five-year-old boy after he began waving a toy around in the air.

“A teacher stepped out of the room momentarily and returned to see a 5-year-old boy waving a toy around in the air,” Deputy Police Chief Ed Gregory said. “The teacher heard Lillie M. Stephen say, ‘No. Don’t,’ and closed her fist to strike downward to the child’s forehead.”

The incident occurred at around 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 20 at Felman Early Childhood Center, located at 200 S. Des Plaines St. Felman is operated by Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities Development and Communications Director Kathleen Langdon told The Herald-News that Stephen had been fired.

“[We] truly regret the actions taken ... by one of our senior citizen volunteers participating in our Foster Grandparent Program,” Langdon said in a statement. “Catholic Charities in no way condones hitting a child, ever, no matter what the circumstance.”

Police were unable to locate Stephen until 1 p.m. Tuesday when was she was found at her home and arrested. She has since been released on bond.