Former Des Plaines day care workers charged with battering kids

Two former employees at a Des Plaines day care facility are facing charges after a lengthy investigation revealed they had battered seven children there, authorities announced Tuesday.

The alleged batteries occurred in November at A Mother’s Touch Learning Academy, 1666 Rand Road, Des Plaines police said in a news release.

Jessica Murillo, 36, of the 7400 block of West Lyons Avenue in Morton Grove, is charged with three felony counts of aggravated battery and 12 misdemeanor counts of battery.

Izabella Thompson, 23, of the 2200 block of North Kenneth Avenue in Chicago, is charged with four misdemeanor counts of battery.

“Our hearts go out to the children and families affected by this troubling case,” Des Plaines Police Chief David Anderson said in the release. “This was a painful breach of trust by individuals entrusted with the care of young children.”

An internal investigation began Nov. 20 after a parent told facility officials that a day care worker sprayed a child’s face with water in a classroom. After reviewing security footage, administrators contacted the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and suspended Murillo and Thompson, police said.

As the investigation continued, more incidents during the month were uncovered. The directors and a parent reported the matter to police Nov. 24.

Des Plaines police say seven boys, all either 4 or 5 years old, were victimized.

Murillo hit one boy in the face with a notebook, hit another in the face multiple times with an open hand and dragged one across the floor by his foot, causing his head to hit the ground, police said.

The charges were filed Monday. Thompson was arrested at her home, while Murillo surrendered at the police station, a police spokesperson said.

Both were released after being charged, the spokesperson said.

Neither Murillo nor Thompson work at the center anymore, A Mother’s Touch officials said in a prepared statement.

“We take this matter very seriously,” the statement reads. “As soon as we became aware of conduct that did not align with our standards, we immediately removed the staff members involved and notified the appropriate authorities, including the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.”

Facility officials cooperated and assisted investigators, police said. That will continue until the investigation is complete, the center’s statement reads.

Murillo is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday. Thompson is scheduled to appear in court March 30.