Daycare Employee Charged With Child Abuse After Infant Suffers Life-Threatening Injuries

ASHBURN, VA — An employee from the Winwood Children's Center in Ashburn has been arrested and charged with child abuse, the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office said.

Authorities said an infant suffered life-threatening injuries at the school. The infant has been released from the hospital since the incident on Nov. 7.

Police identified the employee as 50-year-old Shabana Saleem. She is charged with one county of child abuse and neglect.

Saleem is being held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center. If convicted, she could face up to ten years in prison, based on Virginia's sentencing guidelines.

Around 5 p.m. on Nov. 7, Loudoun deputies learned of the infant's injuries from an area hospital. Investigators determined that the child was in Saleem's care at the Winwood Children’s Center on Hay Road in Ashburn when the injuries occurred. The sheriff's office said that Saleem did not help the infant after they suffered the injuries.

The CDC hosts an array of resources to prevent child neglect, and to help victims who had adverse childhood experiences. More information is available on their website.