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Oakland Daycare Closed After Shocking Abuse Allegations
Sep
Oakland Daycare Closed After Shocking Abuse Allegations
In a disturbing turn of events, an Oakland daycare center, SmallTrans Bears, has been shut down following serious allegations of child abuse. The owner, Cynthia Jackson Burns, has been permanently banned from working with children in California after state investigators uncovered a pattern of cruel and sadistic punishments inflicted on the children in her care.
Allegations and Investigations
According to reports, Jackson Burns engaged in spanking, whipping, and other forms of corporal punishment on young children at the daycare center. The abuse was not limited to her actions alone; she allegedly allowed other staff members to verbally and physically mistreat the children as well. The severity of these actions led to the suspension of her license and the closure of the daycare center in July. A criminal investigation into her actions is currently ongoing.
Parents Alerted
The first signs of trouble emerged when parents received an anonymous text message detailing the abuse. The message described children being pinched, thrown around, and grabbed aggressively, with their belongings also being mishandled. It further alleged that crying toddlers were punished by being smacked with bare hands, hit with a wooden spoon, or whipped with wet towels, and left alone in a dark bathroom.
One particularly harrowing incident involved Jackson Burns allegedly drawing blood by hitting a girl in the mouth and then pressuring an employee to lie about the cause of the injury. The anonymous texter, later revealed to be a parent, also claimed that Jackson Burns would feed cold food to children she disliked.
Immediate Impact
The impact of these revelations was swift. Within days of receiving the texts, most of the daycare’s families withdrew their children. In a desperate attempt to salvage her reputation, Jackson Burns held a virtual meeting, blaming the allegations on a disgruntled ex-staffer. However, this explanation did little to convince the parents or the authorities.
A Troubling History SmallTrans Bears Jackson Burns
The first signs of trouble at SmallTrans Bears began two years ago, shortly after Jackson Burns took over the long-standing daycare center. Complaints about staff being disrespectful and physically rough with children had already prompted an investigation by the Community Care and Licensing Division. However, it wasn’t until the recent anonymous texts that the full extent of the abuse came to light.
State regulators had previously received complaints about staff behavior, but an investigation in August 2022 could not substantiate these claims after interviewing Jackson Burns, other employees, and parents. Despite this, informal complaints continued to surface online in parenting forums and review sites.
One mother, who gave the center a one-star review, chose the facility for its convenient location and promising initial impression. She recounted how her daughter was excited about the space and toys, but their experience quickly soured when her daughter disclosed being spanked by a teacher. Jackson Burns deflected the blame by suggesting the toddler needed therapy, raising additional red flags about her understanding and handling of the situation.
The anonymous texts in early summer named enough staff members that parents could investigate further, with junior staffers providing visual clues, such as a photo of the wooden spoon allegedly used to spank toddlers.
Conclusion Oakland Daycare Closed After Shocking Abuse Allegations
The closure of SmallTrans Bears daycare center serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and accountability in childcare settings. The ongoing criminal investigation will hopefully bring justice to the affected children and their families, and ensure that such incidents are prevented in the future.
