Recent events in Walpole, Massachusetts have raised concerns about children's safety in at-home daycare settings. On September 20, Diane Fenton, a 58-year-old daycare owner, allegedly endangered children in her care as she attacked her husband with a baseball bat, as mentioned by NBC Boston, WHDH.
NBC Boston reported that officers were called to the scene to find Fenton using a baseball bat against her husband in the street. This incident occurred after her husband confronted her about her drunken state which quickly escalated into physical violence.
Entering the residence, police discovered three children between the ages of six months and four-and-a-half years under Fenton's care. One child was found face-down on the carpet, while another child was visibly disturbed by the incident, according to NBC Boston.
WHDH states that Fenton's husband had previously raised concerns over his wife's history of alcohol abuse and aggression when intoxicated. He had given her an ultimatum, demanding sobriety and attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous for their marriage to continue. WHDH also revealed that a similar incident involving Fenton had occurred previously where she allegedly attacked her husband with a knife.
Due to these incidents, the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families was alerted and an investigation launched. The resulting report found that Fenton's daycare license, in operation since 1998, was revoked. Fenton now faces charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and reckless endangerment of a child, among others, and awaits her court date.
