Child Care Provider Accused of Assaulting Toddler

A 29 year old woman was arrested on Friday after she admitted being rough with a 17-month old she was caring for.  The baby is now in critical but stable condition at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Yakima County Sheriffs Detective Sergeant Mike Russell says authorities were called to a home in Cowiche in the 16000 Block of Summitview Avenue Friday afternoon. The 17-month old was found nearly unconscious and barely breathing. The child was transported by ambulance to a Yakima area hospital where an attending physician concluded that the child was suffering from a brain hemorrhage that was not consistent with a fall. The child was subsequently airlifted to Harborview.

The suspect is a Cowiche resident and was the child care provider who had custody of the child at the time of the medical call.  The suspect told investigators that she had become frustrated while caring for the child and was rough in her handling of the child.

The woman is being held in the Yakima County Jail.