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This week, authorities took two daycare workers in Illinois into custody, charging them with several counts of battery related to incidents from the previous November, involving children under their supervision.
According to the Des Plaines Police Department, Jessica Murillo, aged 36, and Izabella Thompson, aged 23, faced charges on Monday following a comprehensive investigation. The inquiry was carried out in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
The issue came to light on November 20, 2025, when a parent informed the directors of A Mother’s Touch Daycare about an incident in which a staff member purportedly sprayed a child’s face with water.
In response, the daycare directors promptly initiated a thorough internal review, scrutinized surveillance recordings, contacted the state child welfare agency, and placed Murillo and Thompson on suspension, as confirmed by the police.
As the investigation advanced, additional footage emerged, revealing further misconduct by the two employees toward children between November 3 and November 19. Consequently, on November 24, the daycare’s management, alongside a concerned parent, formally reported the matter to law enforcement.
Police investigators determined that seven boys, ages 4 and 5, were battered by either Murillo or Thompson in that time period.
Murillo was charged with three felony counts of aggravated battery and 12 misdemeanor counts of battery.
“The felony charges involve allegations of Murillo striking a child in the face with a notebook, dragging a four-year-old male across the floor by his foot (causing his head to strike the ground), and striking another child in the face multiple times with an open hand,” police said.
Thompson was charged with four misdemeanor counts of batteries.
Police stressed that none of the children required medical attention or suffered severe physical injuries and that daycare and its directors were “fully cooperative” as investigators probed the incidents.
“Our hearts go out to the children and families affected by this troubling case,” said Des Plaines Police Chief David Anderson. “This was a painful breach of trust by individuals entrusted with the care of young children. I want to thank the directors and staff of A Mother’s Touch Daycare for acting quickly, alerting authorities, and fully cooperating with our investigators.”
Murillo appeared in court on Wednesday, when a judge denied prosecutors motion to hold her without bond, the Daily Herald reported.
“It’s obviously extremely disturbing to hear these allegations. This is a parent’s worst nightmare,” Cook County Judge Michele Gemskie said.
Gemskie released Murillo with multiple conditions, including no contact with her accusers, their parents, or guardians; staying away from the daycare center, and no contact with anyone under 18 except family members with supervision by another adult.
Thompson is due in court on March 30. Both women were subsequently fired from their jobs.