Mom picks up daughter with scratches and bruises

After a mother picked up her daughter from a Tulsa day care with scratches and bruises, the Department of Human Services and the Tulsa Police Department started investigating. Two employees and a child were also suspended, pending investigation.

 

Aerielle Strain says she picked up 6-month-old Hazelle from Playtime(+), Monday afternoon, covered in scratches and bruises.

 

Strain says that she was first stonewalled by the day care center and was told the injuries were caused by another child. Eventually, Strain took her daughter to TPD looking for answers. 

 

She says the officer could see something was wrong almost immediately. Recalling that as the officer walked toward her, "before he even got within 10 feet of us he was like, 'Oh my God! What happened?'"

 

Strain later took her daughter to the hospital where staff performed a CT scan. She says the doctors told her "that it looked like it wasn't a child. That is looks like somebody grabbed her face."

 

Strain broke down in tears while recalling the ordeal. She said the worst part is that she is a single mother and gives her children to "these people" and trusts the staff to take care of them. 

 

There is security footage out there but DHS is not able to comment on what it shows. 

 

The owner spoke privately with our reporters and said she loves and cares for all the children and families at Playtime(+). She said that she is sorry this ever happened.

 

She added that the two employees are required to be suspended during the DHS investigation. After reviewing security camera footage the owner says she also saw a child involved in the incident, who's since been suspended.

 

Here are some of the photos Strain shared with us.