NewsChannel 5.com - Nashville, Tennessee - Day Care Worker Arrested For Abuse

Day Care Worker Arrested For Abuse

PORTLAND, Tenn.- A day care worker in Portland was arrested after investigators said she abused children.

Investigators with the Tennessee Department of Human Services also believe Marianne Harper used drugs around the children.

Parents of children enrolled in Living Free Children's Center in Portland.

"I'm just blown away," said Ranee New, a concerned parent. "What do I do now?"

New couldn't describe what she felt when she discovered her 21-month-old daughter Allie may have been abused.

It all came to light last week when New picked the youngster from the Portland daycare.

"There was a bruise on the back of her legs and then there was one on her arm," New said.

New contacted the Tennessee Department of Human Services.

"So we went out immediately and began looking into the situation," said Michelle Mowery Johnson, Department of Human Services communications director.

After a short investigation, police arrested 20-year-old day care worker Marianne Harper for allegedly hurting Allie and two other children under the age of 2.

"It's just something you don't want to believe could go on at a child care agency," Johnson said.

Investigators also believe Harper used drugs around the children.

"No, I don't believe it for a minute," said Harper's mother Lisa Harper.

Lisa Harper said it can't be true.

"There's no way Marianne could hurt a child or be guilty of child abuse," Lisa Harper said.

"It's been a sad week here at the church," said Jason Wright, pastor of Living Free Fellowship, which operates the day care.

Wright said steps have already been taken to ensure kids are safe.

Harper has been fired and the day care's director has been put on leave until this is all sorted out.

"Well, I feel like the best thing we could have been is proactive, not reactive," Wright said.

New is relieved to know about the church's actions. She said she'll continue to keep her daughter at the day care but admits this incident has scared her.

"With all the stories you keep hearing it's hard to trust any day care now," New said.

Harper's mother said Marianne Harper is still behind bars in Sumner County and doesn't have a court date until next week.

Harper faces child abuse and drug charges.

The day care director Melissa Wallace is also in trouble. Investigators charged her for failing to report the abuse.

A number of the parents still support the program.

DHS has placed the day care on probation for one year. The day care will lose their child care rating of three stars.

They will also have random reviews by inspectors.