Daycare Owner Accused Of Murdering 2-Year-Old Girl After Alleged Abuse Video Surfaces
Allegations of abuse of other daycare children surfaced shortly after Kaylee Thomas died mysteriously in Jessica Cherry's care.
A Virginia daycare owner has been charged this week with the murder of a toddler girl in her care, months after the child's death and allegations of abuse emerged.
Jessica Cherry, 37, of Norfolk, has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder for the August death of 2-year-old Kaylee Thomas, the Norfolk police announced in a Tuesday press release. The arrest comes after a medical examiner determined that Thomas, whose cause of death was previously undetermined, died of what was determined a homicide.
Police had responded to Cherry’s home daycare operation in Norfolk on the afternoon of Aug. 18 to find Thomas unresponsive. She was transferred to a nearby children’s hospital where she was later pronounced dead.
As police were investigating the death, they obtained footage from a Ring camera at the location, which captured reflections off a dark television screen, that appeared to show abuse, WAVY reported. The footage showed Cherry covering an infant’s nose and mouth with a cloth as well as her slapping another child.
Cherry was arrested in September and was charged then with felony attempted malicious wounding, two counts of felony abuse and neglect of a child, and two counts of felony child endangerment, as a result.
Exactly how investigators believe Thomas was murdered is unclear.
The child is remembered for being bright and affectionate. She knew her ABCs, could count up to 15, and was a fan of hugs and kisses, according to WAVY.
Cherry is currently held without bond. It’s not clear if she has a lawyer. In addition to the murder and abuse allegations, prosecutors have accused Cherry of running an unlicensed daycare facility.