ABINGDON, Va. (WJHL) — Two women were arrested and charged after a monthlong investigation by the Washington County Virginia Sheriff’s Office into reported child abuse at an Abingdon childcare facility.

Blue Mountain Childcare confirmed on social media that it fired two employees after discovering the alleged abuse and self-reporting it to the Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS).

Ambrosia Kierre Monk, 30, of Bristol, VA, and Rachel Puckett, 25, of Saltville, VA, were charged with assault and battery by the sheriff’s office, according to a Wednesday news release. The release said the women’s assault and battery charges stem from incidents that allegedly took place between Jan. 1 and March 12.

The release said a search warrant was executed on March 13 at around 6 a.m. before employees and clients arrived at the facility, one day after the official investigation began.

“Investigators remained on-site conducting their work throughout the day and into the evening hours,” the release states.

The sheriff’s office said its investigation consisted of interviews with employees, parents and child victims– eight children total, all four years old.

“Based on the totality of evidence, including an admission from one of the accused, detectives determined there was sufficient cause to pursue criminal charges,” the release states.

An online, public report by the DSS said the women, referred to as “staff #9” and “staff #10,” were reported by the facility’s ownership and found by the DSS to have violated a slew of codes. The owner of the daycare confirmed to News Channel 11 on Wednesday that the sheriff’s office’s release reflects the investigation at Blue Mountain Childcare.

The DSS report states that the following actions were reported, which violate code 8VAC20-780-410-1:

• From December 2024 through March 2025, Staff #9 and Staff #10 spanked and smacked Child #1, #2, #3, #6, #7, #9 on the hands, mouth, or bottom.
• From December 2024 through March 2025, Staff #9 and staff #10 tripped Child #1, #2, #3, and #6. At times children fell down as a result of the tripping.
• From December 2024 through March 2025, Staff #9 and #10 threw shoes at Child #1, #2, #3, #4, #6, #7, #8, and #9. Staff #9 threw a shoe at Child #6 but missed and hit Child #5 (age 4 years old) on the side of the head.
• From December 2024 through March 2025, Staff #9 and #10 would buckle Child #1, #2, #3 and # 7 in a feeding chair nine inches high from the floor that has a tray to discipline them and at times would tip the chair backwards while they were seated.
• From December 2024 through March 2025, Staff #9 and #10 sat on Child #1, #3, and #9. The children would be on their stomachs and the staff would sit on their backs.

The report also states, “Staff #9 and #10 over a two-week period in March 2025 told children to point and say to other children ‘shame’ or ‘bad.’ Staff #9 would tell other children to hit and kick child #3.”

The sheriff’s office said both women were released from custody at the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail after posting a $1,000 bond.

The center’s management spoke out over social media after the investigation came to light. The facility posted the following statement on social media:

These reports are unfortunately true. I, as owner was made aware by an employee on March 10, 2025 around 4pm that they had some concerns. After hearing her concerns, i interviewed 5 other staff that day. We concluded around 6pm. Based on what I discovered, I emailed my contact at Licensing around 6pm. It was after hours, so she called me at 8am on March 11. Licensing was there that day to begin their investigation. On March 12th, CPS was onsite to do their investigation. On March 13, WCSO and CPS served a search warrant to gather evidence and to interview staff.

Based on what I was told by investigators and CPS, they feel they have enough to charge employee #9 and #10.

I along with the company have complied with the investigation and we hope that the individuals involved are charged to the full extent allowable by law.

Due to liability reasons, we’ve been advised to not name names. It’s now up to the authorities to do their job and ensure they can’t work with kids again.

We pray for the kids and families involved and have taken actions to ensure that these things don’t happen again.

CPS contacted all families impacted.

I condemn these actions both personally and professionally and hope that the community will see that we’ve made every effort to do the right thing from the moment we were made aware.

Blue Mountain Therapy Childcare