Caregiver sentenced for assault of three toddlers

CENTREVILLE, Md. — A Queen Anne’s County daycare worker has been sentenced to jail time after admitting to assaulting three children under her care at the Kiddie Academy of Kent Island.

Wendy Jones, 58, of Easton, pleaded guilty on Aug. 7 to three counts of second-degree assault, according to the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office. On Thursday, Judge Knight sentenced her to three consecutive 10-year terms, with all but six months of each suspended. Jones will serve a total of 18 months in jail, followed by three years of supervised probation. She was also ordered to complete 50 hours of community service.

Investigators began looking into Jones on Feb. 20, when the sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Unit received a report that a child had been assaulted at the daycare, authorities said. Surveillance video confirmed the allegation and revealed two additional incidents involving other children, all younger than 2 years old. Jones was arrested the next day.

Sheriff Gary Hofmann said the case underscores the trust parents place in child care providers.

“Parents place their trust in those who care for our most vulnerable, our children. When that trust is broken, it sends a profound shock through the community,” Hofmann said in a statement. “The justice system ensured the responsible party was held accountable. This individual’s actions do not reflect the dedication of caregivers in our community and serve as a clear warning that this behavior will never be tolerated.”

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