Milwaukee day care owner accused of multiple counts of child abuse

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The owner of a Milwaukee day care is facing several charges of child abuse, and authorities are working to identify more victims. 

Authorities say 38-year-old Danielle Jones owned and operated Two Helping Hands Daycare, located at 6414 W. Silver Spring Drive. 

According to a criminal complaint, on Aug. 31, 2022, a 4-year-old boy who attends Two Helping Hands Daycare was allegedly "smacked with an open palm" across his face. 

The criminal complaint says the child's siblings were present at the time of the incident. One of the siblings, a 6-year-old, reportedly saw "Ms. Danielle" slap the boy and then, "held him like a baby after hitting him and told him she would give him a snack but did not." 

Another sibling, age 11, reportedly told investigators on Aug. 31, the 4-year-old boy had gone into the baby room and this upset "Ms. Danielle." The 11-year-old stated, according the criminal complaint, she heard the 4-year-old begin to cry and saw him "screaming and holding his face." The child, according to the complaint, heard Ms. Danielle tell the 4-year-old, "stop crying I didn't do anything to you," then she picked him up and started rocking him. 

Investigators responded to the day care and made contact with Jones. She was informed why police were there and, according to the criminal complaint, denied harming any children. When asked if there were any surveillance videos, Jones reportedly stated she did not have a working camera system. 

Officials were shown the camera system connected to a DVR, and it was determined to work properly. The DVR was seized, and a warrant was executed. Video was located on the DVR, according to the complaint, showing numerous instances of Jones threatening children with violence, times where children were left without supervision, and times where Jones picked children up by an arm or their arms. 

The recovered video reportedly showed the incident that took place on Aug. 31, involving the 4-year-old child. Another incident captured on surveillance reportedly showed Jones, while talking on the phone, pick up a child by the hair and carry them into another room of the day care -- essentially dropping them into a pack and play.

The criminal complaint says another incident captured on camera showed Jones slapping a child on her left arm with such force to cause her to fall to the ground on her face and then fall on her back. The child, according to the criminal complaint, laid on her back on the ground and appeared to be crying as Jones stood in the room eating. 

Authorities are working to identify the victims in the above incidents, excluding the 4-year-old boy who has been identified. Officials say they have been unable to ascertain a list of parents of the children enrolled at the day care. The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office will be filing a press release contemporaneous to this filing seeking assistance from the public. 

Currently, Jones is not in custody. A warrant has been issued for her arrest. 

Jones is charged with the following: 

• Physical abuse of a child (intentional causation of bodily harm), sexual assault of a child/physical abuse of a child by child care provider 
• Physical abuse of a child (intentional causation of bodily harm) - 3 counts