Former Berlin childcare employee enters Alford Plea on assault charges

BERLIN, Md. – A Worcester County caretaker charged with abusing a young child in her care has entered an Alford Plea.

Heather Ward was arrested earlier this year after it was discovered that she intentionally hurt an 8-month-old while working at the Berlin Activities Depot. The investigation began when the infant was treated for a fractured tibia above her ankle on her left leg. Her mother noted that she was fine before going to daycare that day, and no one notified her of any injury. Surveillance footage from inside the childcare center showed Ward hitting the infant multiple times, grabbing her, force feeding her, and pushing her face down in a crib.

Ward was arrested in February and formally indicted in March on 90 criminal violations, including 10 felony charges of child abuse. All charges were related to a total of nine children who were under her care and supervision at the childcare center.

On Monday, she entered an Alford Plea to a total of nine counts of misdemeanor second degree assault.