Day Care Abuse Scandal Shakes Bergen County

On September 9, something that should have been ordinary – a morning at a local day‑care in Hackensack – turned violent. Two children left the classroom with unexplained bruises, prompting a flurry of questions and, eventually, a police investigation.

By the time the Division of Child Protection and Permanency caught wind of the incident on Sept. 11, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office had already mobilized its Special Victims Unit. Detectives pored over security camera footage and quickly identified the two staff members they believed were responsible.

One was Chillyann Spencer, a 24‑year‑old aide from Paterson. The other, Deily Perez, 49, hails from the Bronx. Both were working as teacher’s assistants at the center and are now facing two counts each of second‑degree endangering the welfare of a child.

The court documents obtained by Patch reveal that at least one of the victims suffered a bruised torso, though the filing stops short of disclosing the children’s ages or any further medical details. Still, the evidence was enough to move the case forward.

Both Spencer and Perez were taken into custody earlier this week and booked at the Bergen County Jail. Their first court appearances took place on Friday in the Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack, where a judge ordered their release on their own recognizance pending further proceedings.

Authorities say they will continue to investigate the full scope of what happened that day, and the community is left grappling with a troubling reminder that even places meant for safety can sometimes betray that trust.

Patch will keep readers updated as more information surfaces.