Abuse Scandal: Pentagon Suspends Dozens of Daycare Workers

Surveillance cameras catch two employees abusing toddlers on military base

President Barack Obama and officials at the Pentagon are reportedly fuming mad about a growing child abuse scandal on military bases. Two civilian employees at the Child Development Center at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall appeared in federal court Wednesday to face charges of assaulting 2-year-olds under their watch. The two were recorded by surveillance cameras dragging, pinching, kneeing and taunting toddlers, according to federal court records. After learning of the abuse, Obama told Army Secretary John McHugh that there must be “a zero tolerance policy when it comes to protecting the children of service members from abuse.” Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has launched an investigation that widened the scandal; the inquiry turned up evidence that at least 31 daycare staffers had disqualifying factors in their records, including history of drug use and past allegation of assault. The staffers have been suspended. (Washington Post)

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