Former Daycare Employees Admit Encouraging 'Fight Club' Among Children: Prosecutor

CRANFORD, NJ — The two former Cranford daycare workers pleaded guilty to child abuse for encouraging children in their care to fight last year, authorities confirmed.

Chanese White, 28, of Roselle and Erica Kenny, 22, of Cranford both pleaded guilty last month in separate hearings before Superior Court Judge Frederic McDaniel to with fourth-degree child abuse, according to Union County Prosecutor's Office Director of Communications Mark Spivey.

The women had tried to enroll in a probationary program that could allow their records to eventually be cleared, but it was denied.

Authorities say both women encouraged the 4- to 6-year-olds to fight while they were at the Lightbridge Academy on South Avenue East. Kenny is also accused of using her cell phone to take video of the fights and share that video on Snapchat, according to the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.

She is heard using the term “fight club” on that video, authorities said.

Convictions on fourth-degree charges are commonly punishable by terms ranging from probation to 18 months in state prison, according to Spivey.

Both women are scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 14.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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