A mum was left horrified after she picked her son up from childcare to find he had more than 20 bloody scratches on his face.
7NEWS reported that the mother from Box Hill broke down in tears recalling the moment she picked up her 10-month old infant, Noah, from Only About Children Melbourne Central last month.
The mother was told by staff that her child’s bloody face resulted from an accident during a routine nappy change when another toddler scratched his face unsupervised.
The parents took their child from hospital where the doctors were in disbelief the child was scratched so severely at daycare.
Doctors made sure his eyes and brain weren’t also injured.
Thankfully, medics told the parents that Noah’s scratches would soon heal and not scar.
“I feel lots of pain in my heart. I don’t even want to click the images [of Noah’s injured face],” Rachel said.
While speaking to 9News, Rachel said that while the daycare centre said Noah’s injuries resulted from an accident, her husband suspects it was child abuse.
“They explained that this happened accidentally, but we just can’t accept this explanation,” she said.
“More than 20 scratches on Noah’s face, how can this happen accidentally?
“My husband says that this was definitely not an accident; this was child abuse.”
The family has received an apology letter from the daycare centre; however, Rachel is also seeking compensation.
Department of Education spokesperson was also informed of the incident and told 9News that they were putting in ‘measures to address this incident including reviewing its procedures at nappy change times to include an additional educator at these times’.
“The department takes the safety, security and wellbeing of every child extremely seriously,” the department added.
The images of the baby’s face have since gone viral, leaving many users stunned.
One Facebook user wrote: “How is a toddler and 10 week old under supervision in the same area? From my time working in childcare years ago to experiences with family, as soon as they are mobile, they get moved up a room.”
Another said: “Ok, I understand and could let it slide with one at most from another child if dealt correctly, but a baby and that many I don’t understand…”
While a third shared: “So heartbreaking! So traumatized for us mums!”
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