Daycare worker accused of pushing and dragging 3-year-old over spilled milk

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT/Gray News) – Police in Arkansas say a daycare worker was arrested after video showed her pushing and dragging a 3-year-old child in her care.

The reported incident happened Sept. 26 at Miracle Kids Daycare on Stillwater Drive.

According to Jonesboro police, the child’s father told them he received a phone call from the daycare regarding an incident involving his 3-year-old child and a worker, later identified as 30-year-old Elisabeth Gates.

Detective Madison Dobbs said video footage from inside the classroom showed Gates grabbing the child by the left arm after she spilled milk and dragging her to a corner of the room.

When the girl tried to get up and walk away, Dobbs said the video showed Gates pushing the child to the ground.

The detective noted in an affidavit that the child had “redness and bruising” on his forearm.

On Wednesday, Craighead County District Court Judge David Boling found probable cause to charge Gates with second-degree battery and set his bond at $7,500.

Gates is scheduled to be arraigned on November 14.