A Michigan childcare worker, Samantha Franz, faces serious allegations and has been charged with second-degree child abuse, which carries a ten-year felony sentence, and fourth-degree child abuse, a misdemeanor that could lead to an additional year of incarceration. As reported by CBS News Detroit, the charges stemmed from observations that Franz was "being excessively rough" with a 10-month-old baby in her care.
Authorities reviewed surveillance footage from March 31 and April 1 at a St. Clair Shores childcare facility. According to the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office, "The video footage displays aggressive, forceful, rough, and abusive behavior by Franz upon the crying infant, which resulted in bruises to the infant’s arms," FOX 2 Detroit reported. Franz has undergone an arraignment and was released on a $5,000 personal bond, awaiting further court proceedings including a probable cause conference on Friday next week and a preliminary exam on May 20.
Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido emphasized the gravity of the charges, "The safety and well-being of our children is our absolute top priority. These charges reflect our commitment to holding offenders accountable, and ensuring justice for our most vulnerable members, their families, and the community as a whole," according to a release that was obtained by clickondetroit.com.
