A 47-year-old woman in Bailey's Crossroads has been taken into custody after allegations arose of her assaulting two children at her at-home daycare, a situation that has shocked a community that had trusted her with the care of their young. Sumy Shah, the daycare provider, is accused of having to repeatedly use tape to restrain children in her care, according to reports from local authorities.
As a county-licensed daycare operator, Shah was obligated to provide a safe environment for children, but on August 1, police had to respond to her home on the 3600 block of Paul Street following reports of an assault. According to a statement by WJLA, detectives found evidence that prompted charges to be filed against Shah for two counts each of misdemeanor assault and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Although Shah did not immediately surrender herself to authorities, she eventually turned herself in on August 20. After being held on an unsecured bond, she was released, as reported by FOX 5 DC. The incident has spurred an ongoing investigation, and the police are urging any witnesses or other potential victims to come forward.
In the wake of the assault, police have assigned victim specialists to the children to help them try to access appropriate resources and assistance. WUSA9 indicates that the Major Crimes Bureau is handling the case and asks that anyone with knowledge of the situation call them at 703-246-7800, selecting option 3 to provide information. It is hoped that the outreach will facilitate more comprehensive support for the affected families and bring to light any additional incidents related to the case.
