A shocking video recorded by a daycare worker in Minnesota shows another employee aggressively handling young children, slamming a toddler into a chair while yelling at them.
The disturbing incident happened on February 6 at Lil’ Explorers Childcare Center in Plymouth. The video, captured by assistant teacher Yannii Thomas, shows the lead teacher mistreating 2 and 3-year-old children, pushing them, grabbing them roughly, and yelling at them. In one part of the video, a little boy stands up after being seated, and the teacher forcefully grabs him and slams him back into the chair.
“I’m so f**king sick of you, I DID NOT TELL YOU TO GET UP!” she shouts at the child.
Abuse Exposed by Brave Employee
Thomas, the assistant teacher, posted the video online along with other clips showing similar behavior. She spoke to WCCO, explaining how the teacher regularly mistreated children—grabbing their arms, slamming them into chairs, pushing them into tables, and snatching things from their hands.
Concerned for the children’s safety, Thomas reported the abuse to the daycare management and the Minnesota Department of Human Services. She also decided to capture the incident on camera before quitting her job, saying she could not leave the children in such an unsafe environment.
“It was definitely an uncomfortable situation, but I knew it was my last day, and I couldn’t just leave my kids there without making sure they were safe,” Thomas said.
At one point in the video, the teacher even warns a child not to look at Thomas for help, saying, “Don’t look at her like she’s gonna help you!”
Teacher Fired, Investigation Underway
After the video went viral, the teacher was fired, along with several other staff members, though the daycare did not specify why the others were dismissed. The daycare center released a statement saying, “The safety and well-being of all children in our care is our top priority. We are taking this matter very seriously.”
Plymouth police confirmed that an investigation is ongoing. A review of state records revealed previous violations at the daycare, including cases where children were subjected to inappropriate disciplinary actions. The center reportedly made corrections after those violations.
Community Support for Thomas
Many parents and community members have praised Thomas for exposing the abuse. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to support her as she looks for a new job, thanking her for her courage in protecting the children.
