Calgary daycare worker who slapped, dragged and threw down baby pleads guilty to assault

WARNING: This article contains graphic descriptions of assault.

A Calgary daycare worker pleaded guilty to assault Thursday, admitting to abusing a 13-month-old baby several times over three different days.

Rita Niure, 30, worked at Kidzee Early Learning and Daycare in the northeast in December 2022 when the incidents took place.

The baby's identity is protected by a publication ban. CBC News will call him RD.

Prosecutor Rebecca Ross proposed a four-to-six month jail sentence followed by a year of probation, while defence lawyer Ronverg Mendoza asked Justice Paul Mason to consider a conditional sentence order of 12 months followed by 18 months probation.

Mason will issue his decision next month.

An agreed statement of facts (ASF) was read aloud by Ross.

Justice Paul Mason also viewed a video exhibit that shows the incidents of assault.

RD began attending Kidzee daycare on Dec. 1, 2022.

Just two days after he started at Kidzee, RD's parents noticed he appeared to be fearful with family members, which was unlike him.

At daycare drop-offs on Dec. 7 and 8, RD "would cry inconsolably" during drop-off, according to the ASF.

On Dec. 10, RD's parents brought him to the hospital after noticing he had bruises on his body.

Police became involved and an investigation was launched.

'Multiple instances' of assault

Investigators reviewing the daycare's CCTV footage from Dec. 1-10, 2022.

"Police observed multiple instances of [Niure] assaulting [RD]," according to the ASF.

The video, played in court, shows Niure slapping RD in the face on several occasions.

She can also be seen dragging him by his leg and throwing him around during nap time when the baby crawled away from his mat.

On several occasions, Niure aggressively shakes RD. And although RD is off screen, on one occasion, Niure can be seen snapping a blanket at the toddler.

In another instance, Niure threw RD face-first on his mat and then held him down with her leg.

RD's mother wrote a victim impact statement read aloud in court by Ross.

She described learning of her son's abuse as causing "trauma and emotional scars."

RD's mother said she blames herself and struggles with guilt.