A former daycare worker in Florida has been arrested after disturbing surveillance footage allegedly showed her pushing and humiliating a child with disabilities and rubbing hand sanitizer on the child’s open wounds.
Deputies from the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of child abuse at Tender Care Daycare in Spring Hill around 3 p.m. on Thursday. The suspect, identified as 37-year-old Kaitlyn Pitzer, had already been fired before deputies arrived.
According to investigators, classroom surveillance footage captured several instances of abuse involving an 11-year-old child with disabilities. Deputies described the video as showing Pitzer engaging in a series of cruel and bizarre acts, including violently pushing the child’s forehead while applying a bandage, taunting the child with a piece of cake, and smearing icing across the child’s face.
The footage also allegedly showed Pitzer picking icing off the floor and rubbing it into the child’s face before grabbing the child, dragging them to a hand sanitizer dispenser, and applying sanitizer directly onto the child’s open wounds. Deputies said the video evidence clearly demonstrated repeated physical and emotional mistreatment.
When investigators spoke with the victim’s parents, they said Pitzer’s actions were completely inappropriate and could have caused serious harm due to their child’s existing medical conditions. They added that after the incident, their child’s scabs were open and bleeding, as per WPBN.
During questioning, Pitzer admitted to her actions. She told investigators that she had been “in a bad mood that day” and acknowledged knowing her behavior was wrong but said she “did not care at the time.” She also admitted to the cake incident, telling deputies she thought it was “funny.”
The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office determined there was enough evidence to arrest Pitzer on charges of child abuse. She was booked into the Hernando County Jail, where she remains pending further investigation. Authorities described the case as deeply troubling, noting that the child’s disabilities made them particularly vulnerable.
Officials emphasized that protecting children in care facilities remains a top priority for law enforcement. The investigation is ongoing, and deputies are asking anyone with additional information to contact Hernando County Crime Stoppers at 1-866-990-8477. Tipsters may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.