2 charged in Fox Point day care child abuse incidents
Two women are facing multiple child abuse charges during their time working at the Nurturing Nook in Fox Point.
FOX POINT, Wis. – Two women are facing multiple child abuse charges while working at a day care center.
Sisters charged
What we know:
The accused are 25-year-old sisters Jakya Chandler and Jilnya Chandler(not pictured).
Warrants are out for their arrests for a total of 16 felony counts of child abuse, including:
- Physical abuse of a child (reckless causation of bodily harm) – PTAC, as a party to a crime, sexual assault of a child/physical abuse of a child by a child care provider
- Physical abuse of a child, repeated acts causing bodily harm – PTAC, as a party to a crime, sexual assault of a child/physical abuse of a child by a child care provider
Abuse allegations
The backstory:
A 21-page criminal complaint says they started work at the Nurturing Nook in Fox Point in September 2024.
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It all started with one child and police say they learned there were many more victims. Investigators say the abuse happened in what’s called the Teddies Classroom.
Many of the children were around 1-and-a-half years old.
Parents took their 1-year-old to the hospital, finding bruises on his neck, back, armpit, thigh and forehead. It led the Fox Point Police Department to review surveillance at the day care.
Prosecutors say footage revealed the two Milwaukee women abused at least eight children between mid-September and early-November.
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The criminal complaint states they pinched some of the children’s ears, pulled their arms, hit and kicked them. They also allegedly called the kids “ugly” and “disgusting” and told them to “shut up” when they cried for their mothers.
Parents reported changes in their children crying at drop-off and waking up and screaming in the middle of the night.
When Fox Point police interviewed one of the women, they said she denied hurting or yelling at the children.
Fox Point police said the Nurturing Nook has been cooperative with the investigation. Investigators did not observe any other instances of abuse occurring outside the two suspects identified.
Nurturing Nook’s statement
What they’re saying:
“We just became aware of the additional charges filed against two former employees. We appreciate law enforcement for their work on this case and we will continue to cooperate fully with them on this matter. The actions by the two former staff members do not align with Nurturing Nook’s standards of care and commitment to child safety. Any additional questions regarding the investigation should be directed to local authorities.”
The Source: Information in this report is from the Fox Point Police Department, Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office and Wisconsin Circuit Court.