Two Day‑Care Aides Arrested After Children Were Physically Abused in Bergen County

On September 9, an unsettling incident unfolded at a day‑care center in Hackensack, New Jersey, when two children emerged with visible injuries. The shock rippled through the community, prompting an immediate investigation by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency and local police.

According to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, the two staff members accused of the abuse were Chillyann Spencer, a 24‑year‑old aide from Paterson, and Deily Perez, a 49‑year‑old aide who lives in the Bronx. Both were working as teachers’ assistants at the facility at the time.

Prosecutors allege that Spencer and Perez physically assaulted the children, one of whom was left with a bruised torso—a detail that emerged from a court filing obtained by Patch. The filing didn’t disclose the youngsters’ ages, but the injuries were serious enough to trigger a criminal response.

Detectives reviewed surveillance footage from the day‑care, which apparently showed the alleged attacks. That video became a cornerstone of the case, helping investigators piece together what happened on that September 9 morning.

Both aides were taken into custody later that week. Each now faces two counts of second‑degree endangering the welfare of a child, a charge that carries significant penalties if convicted. After their initial appearances in Bergen County Superior Court on Friday, a judge ordered them released on their own recognizance while the legal process continues.

The community, understandably rattled, is awaiting further updates. Officials say they will keep the public informed as the case moves through the courts, and the day‑care center is reviewing its safety protocols to prevent any future incidents.

For now, the focus remains on the wellbeing of the children involved and ensuring that justice is served for this troubling episode.