Director Who Threatened Preschoolers With Knife May Get Probation

PLAINFIELD, NJ — An administrator at a Plainfield preschool, accused of showing two 4-year-old students a knife and threatening to harm them if they didn't behave, may get probation.

Adetokunbo O. Akinnaso, 64, of Sicklerville, Camden County and former director of Dawn to Dusk Christian Childcare & Learning Center in Plainfield, pleaded guilty to two counts of child abuse in Superior Court in Union County on Aug. 22, Union County Prosecutor Office Spokesman Mark Spivey confirmed.

Akinnaso put a steak knife into the hands of two preschoolers and told them she would cut their fingers off and throw them in the trash if they kept misbehaving on Feb. 28 in attempt to discipline them, according to nj.com.

Neither child was injured, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Scott Peterson, who is prosecuting the case.

Akinnaso is scheduled to appear for sentencing on Friday, Sept. 28, where the prosecutor's office will recommend probation.

"...at which time the State will be heard on the specific parameters, which are to include no contact with the victims or their families, as well as a lifetime ban on the defendant again working with children in New Jersey," Spivey said.

One of the victim's father, Raymond Moss of Plainfield, is upset with the UCPO's recommendation and questioned why Akinnaso is not facing weapons or threats charges. He told nj.com that the prosecutor's office told him the charges filed are the ones they thought they could prove.

(Image via Union County Prosecutor's Office: Adetokunbo O. Akinnaso, 64, of Sicklerville, Camden County)

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