A 15-month old toddler was beaten at an upmarket crèche in Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, according to a report on Monday.
In May, an attorney discovered that her daughter was being physically abused when she found several bruises on the toddler's thighs and buttocks, The Witness reported.
“I was shocked to see these marks on my baby’s body,” the attorney told the newspaper.
“I had given her a bath the night before and I didn’t notice anything. My gut told me that something was very wrong. I took my baby to the crèche that morning wanting answers.”
When the mother arrived at the Baby Steps day care centre she was told the owner, Brenda Seery, was not available but would contact her as soon as possible.
Thirty minutes later, Seery called to say the toddler had been hit again by a worker.
In a statement to the police, a doctor confirmed that the child had been beaten either by hand or with a stick, The Witness reported.
A former employee at the crèche allegedly told the newspaper that Seery and her daughter Tamlyn were quite rough with the children by smacking or pushing them.
There were also allegations of abuse which included punishing children by putting fruit salt in their mouths.
Police have confirmed they were investigating the alleged abuse.
Seery confirmed the assault of the toddler but denied other allegations of abuse, the newspaper reported. - Sapa