Deciding whether or not to purchase a hidden camera can be a heavy decision for parents when they have someone else caring for their children while they are not home. It is hard to think that someone could actually hurt a child. It is even harder for a parent to only be able to wonder how well their children are being cared for. Following are two examples of nannies caught on video while caring for others children.
In February 2008, a mother of two 7 month old twin boys in Cary, North Carolina, hired a nanny with a reputable background in child care, with references. The mother’s sons were born 3 months premature and were not healthy enough to attend day care. The mother was able to spend time with the nanny and her child before the nanny even began work. The nanny began working on January 2nd.
In early February, the mother set up a hidden camera in her home. After viewing what the nanny cam recorded after one day, she immediately fired the nanny. The hidden camera caught the nanny leaving the babies unattended on the couch propped up on a pillow. One baby did roll, but thankfully not on the floor. She also handled the babies by grabbing them by their clothing and almost tossing them aside. This nanny was sentenced to take 8 months of child safety classes, 30 days of community service, and was prohibited from caring for any children other than her own for one year. Fortunately, no serious injuries to the two babies, but the parents painful memories of witnessing such behavior towards their babies can last a lifetime.
Also in February 2008, a father of one 5 month old daughter in Garden City, South Carolina, hired a nanny. He had interviewed several nannies before hiring the one he chose. He checked her references and performed a criminal background check before hiring her. Everything came back clean.
On the first day of this nannies employment, the father of this 5 month old baby saw on video from his hidden camera this woman shaking his baby several times. This camera happened to have audio and the baby’s cry could be heard very well. The father filed a police report immediately, and it took a week for the police to catch up with her. She was charged with unlawful neglect of a child or helpless person and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.
A medical exam was performed on the 5 month old, where no injuries were found. However, the parents say that they noticed a change in their daughters behavior and mannerisms.
It is heartbreaking to watch such video’s. Especially when the babies are innocent and unable to defend themselves or tell their parents. Hearing about and watching these types of occurrences doesn’t make a decision to have a hidden nanny camera so heavy anymore.