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Officials: Video Shows Abuse By Nanny Babysitter Kicked Three-Year-Old Like Soccer Ball, Prosecutor Says Sep 13, 2002 11:01 am US/Pacific (HOLLYWOOD) A mother and father who noticed a change in their young children's behavior secretly videotaped what they say are acts of mental and physical abuse by their nanny. "The most disturbing thing is the forty-five minutes ... tormenting my baby, scaring her, tripping her, pulling her on the floor," Rosa Ramos said. "When I saw it I thought it was horrible and the scariest thing in my life," Gilbert Ramos said. The videotape taken by the couple earlier this month shows the babysitter abusing their one-year-old son and three-year-old daughter, San Bernardino authorities said. Ontario resident Erika Salinas, 20, was arrested and booked on felony child abuse charges. She remained jailed Friday at the West Valley Detention Center on $100,000 bail. Neither of the children was reported seriously hurt. Salinas worked as a babysitter for the family for more than one month, the parents said. When the eldest of their three children returned to school, the toddlers begged them not to leave, the couple said. The parents then set up a hidden videocamera in the family room of their home. San Bernardino County Deputy District Attorney Jason Anderson described what he viewed on the videotape. "The babysitter sweeps the legs out from underneath the three-year-old, causing the three-year-old to flip backwards, hitting her head on the floor. It is carpeted, however it doesn't seem to make a difference because the child is traumatized." Salinas then kicked the girl like a soccer ball, Anderson said. The Lollis Domestic Agency in Fontana gave Salinas good references, the parents said. "We went to this agency to hire a person because you think they have a screening, they had a fingerprinting, they had all this, and you think it's going to be better," Rosa Ramos said. They had used the employment service before and had trusted it, the couple said. The agency declined comment. The videotape would not be released to the media due to an ongoing investigation, sheriff's officials said. Prosecutors suspect Salinas may have committed previous child abuse. Authorities urged parents of other children who may have been victims to come forward with information. By Marc Salvatierra, with material from City News Service |
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