Rye YMCA Child Care Worker Accused Of Rough Handling Of 19-Month-Old: DA

RYE, NY — A woman trusted to care for children, instead mistreated at least one child under her care, according to police.

Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced that 34-year-old Molly Swain, a child care worker at the Rye YMCA, was charged on Friday with misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child. The Rye woman is accused of allegedly handling a toddler in her care in an especially rough manner on several occasions.

Swain was arraigned before Rye City Court, and released her on her own recognizance, as the charge is not bail-eligible. A temporary order of protection was also provided to the victim.

The case was adjourned to May 5.

"Westchester parents who drop their kids off at day care expect they will be nurtured by the professionals entrusted with their care," Cacace said. "Instead, this defendant is alleged to have betrayed her duty as a care worker, subjecting the child victim in this case to unnecessary roughness. Toddlers cannot speak for themselves. It was only through diligent investigation and prosecutorial scrutiny that we were able to file this charge, and I would like to thank all of our investigatory partners for their work on this case."

According to court documents, on April 1, Swain lifted a 19-month-old toddler up by the arms and dropped the toddler to the floor "in such a manner that would likely be injurious due to the level of force applied."

On two other occasions, Swain grabbed the same toddler by the back of their shirt collar and lifted them off the floor, according to the charges.

The case was investigated by the City of Rye Police Department and the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. The case is being prosecuted by Rye Branch Chief Cindy Adimari.