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Inset: Ashley Taris (Wake County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The North Carolina day care where Ashley Taris allegedly broke a child’s leg (Google Maps).
A daycare worker in North Carolina has been charged with felony child abuse after allegedly twisting a young boy’s leg into a “criss-cross applesauce” position, resulting in fractures to both his shinbone and ankle, according to police reports.
Ashley Taris, a 24-year-old resident of Raleigh, was taken into custody last week. She faces charges of negligent child abuse causing serious bodily injury following an incident that occurred at a KinderCare facility in August 2025, as stated in court documents.
The arrest warrant reveals that investigators interviewed the injured child, who claimed that Ms. Taris, his teacher at the daycare, was responsible for the injury. He recounted that while under her care, she forced his leg into the “criss-cross applesauce” position, leading to the fractures.
The warrant further details that this action resulted in significant injuries to the boy’s leg, specifically noting fractures to his shinbone and ankle.
Initially, Taris faced a misdemeanor charge of child abuse and was issued a citation. However, the charge was subsequently elevated to a felony as the severity of the injuries became apparent.
A KinderCare spokesperson told The News & Observer last Wednesday, the day of Taris’ arrest, that she no longer works for the company after being released in the fall.
“She has not worked in our center since October of 2025,” the spokesperson said. “When this incident occurred last summer we followed our safety protocols and immediately notified both the child’s family and the appropriate agencies.”
The spokesperson told the Observer that KinderCare allowed Taris to continue working under a safety plan after receiving “guidance from state officials,” but the officials told the company to remove Taris in October and she was reportedly placed on administrative leave, per the spokesperson.
North Carolina court records show that Taris filed a lawsuit against the state’s Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Child Development and Early Education in January after she was “disqualified to provide child care” in November 2025 due to her criminal history.
“Plaintiff disagrees with DCDEE’s decision to disqualify her,” the complaint says.
Taris appeared in court Thursday and her defense attorney said she now works as a “housekeeper,” according to local CBS affiliate WNCN. “She has a job, she has tremendous family support behind her,” the lawyer reportedly told the court.
Prosecutors recounted how the victim said he was sitting “where he was supposed to be” when Taris allegedly “pulled his leg” and forced the boy to sit “criss-cross.” The child told investigators that he “immediately felt a burn and couldn’t walk,” WNCN reports.
Online jail records show that Taris is being held without bond in Wake County. She’s due to appear in court for a disposition hearing on April 30 and faces up to seven years and four months in prison, if convicted.