A daycare employee in Butler County has been charged with assaulting a three-year-old child during nap time, according to local authorities. The worker, identified as Joshua Branstetter, 26, was arrested following the incident, which reportedly occurred at the Allie Alligator Learning Center in Cranberry Township. The assault came to light after surveillance footage captured the troubling scene.
Sitting with the child, Branstetter appeared to put his hand on the toddler's upper back as they slept. When the child eventually raised their head, he was seen by officers, through surveillance, forcefully pushing the child's face back down onto the bed—an action which resulted in injury. According to a WPXI report, the force was enough to not only cause the child to hit their face against the frame of the bed, but also to move the bed several inches forward.
The consequences of Branstetter's alleged actions were distressingly visible. The three-year-old sustained injuries to their eye area, resulting in redness and swelling. This encounter has led to Branstetter facing serious charges, including endangering the welfare of children and simple assault. According to WTAE, alongside the visible bruising and swelling on the child's head, a medical evaluation was required to ascertain the full extent of the harm done.
Branstetter is set to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on June 27.
