A woman faces a charge of child abuse after a "nanny cam" allegedly caught her grabbing and striking a 7-month-old infant in her care, Pembroke Pines police said Thursday.
Dawn Richards, 47, was arrested on May 29, and she was released a day later on $1,000 bond. It wasn't immediately known if she had an attorney.
On May 18, police were contacted by the infant's parents, who said their child had been abused by a nanny, authorities said. The nanny was later identified as Richards, who was hired by the online site Care.com, police said.
The parents gave police the surveillance video from the "nanny cam." Police said it showed Richards grabbing, pulling and striking the child.
"The suspect advised that her actions were as a result of personal stressors and financial hardships, combined with the infant crying and being fussy, that caused her to act in a "rough" manner," police said in an email statement.
Richards' attorney Glenn Roderman, who watched the video for the first time Thursday, said the charge was a bit harsh.
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"I don't see child abuse," he said.
Anyone with information or anyone who may have used Richards for child care and had similar experiences is asked to 954-431-2200 or email Tips@ppines.com.
