UPDATE: A 24-year-old childcare worker has been sentenced for recklessly injuring a toddler at a Bathurst childcare center, leaving the child with a 2-centimetre laceration to his head. This urgent case highlights significant concerns regarding childcare safety and staff support in high-pressure environments.
In a powerful statement delivered in Bathurst Local Court on November 3, 2025, the child’s father described the emotional turmoil his family has faced since the incident, stating, “no parent should ever have to write a statement like this.” He detailed the lasting impact on his son, who now suffers from nightmares and fears of bedtime, saying, “watching that fear replace his joy has been absolutely devastating.”
The incident occurred on August 7, 2025, at approximately 12:20 PM, when Maija Rose Hart, while attempting to lay the child down for a nap, used excessive force. The child resisted, and Hart reportedly grabbed him by the hips, forcing him onto a stretcher bed. According to court documents, the child’s head struck the plastic corner of the bed, resulting in immediate bleeding. Hart continued to restrain the child for 53 seconds without realizing the injury, earning a charge of reckless wounding.
Hart’s defense attorney, Evan Dowd, argued that his client was overwhelmed, caring for 17 children at the time with minimal assistance. Despite acknowledging the inappropriateness of her actions, Dowd emphasized that there was no intent to harm. He noted Hart’s 7 years of experience in childcare and her ongoing psychological support following the incident.
However, Police Prosecutor Sgt. Pearce stressed the seriousness of Hart’s actions, pointing out that her professional role demanded a higher standard of care for vulnerable children. He stated that the injury, while on the lower end of the reckless wounding spectrum, was significant enough to warrant a serious response.
In court, Magistrate Gemma Slack-Smith condemned Hart’s actions, stating, “the victim was vulnerable, unable to resist or complain,” and she exploited this difference in physical strength. Hart was convicted and sentenced to an 18-month Community Correction Order, with mandatory supervision and continued psychological support until deemed unnecessary.
The incident has sparked outrage among parents and childcare advocates, raising questions about the pressures faced by childcare workers and the need for adequate support systems. The child’s father poignantly summed up the family’s trauma, stating, “the image of what happened plays over and over again in our minds.”
As this case unfolds, experts and advocates call for immediate reforms to ensure the safety and well-being of children in care. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities children face and the critical need for accountability in childcare services.
Parents and caregivers are urged to remain vigilant and advocate for better practices within childcare settings. This developing story underscores the urgent need for systemic change to protect our most vulnerable populations.
