Former Daycare Workers, Accused Of Fostering Fights, Want Probation, Report Says

The two former Cranford daycare workers, who are accused of encouraging children in their care to fight, are seeking enrollment in a probationary program that could allow their records to eventually be cleared, NJ.com reported.

Chanese White, 28, of Roselle and Erica Kenny, 22, of Cranford are both charged with fourth-degree child abuse. Kenny is also charged with third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

Authorities say both women encouraged the 4- to 6-year-olds to fight while they were at the Lightbridge Academy on South Avenue East. Kenny is also accused of using her cell phone to take video of the fights and share that video on Snapchat, according to the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.

She is heard using the term “fight club” on that video, authorities said.

“Approximately a dozen boys and girls at the daycare center can be seen in the video clips shoving each other to the ground and attempting to strike each other,” the Prosecutor’s Office news release, issued in September, said.

Now the two women are seeking acceptance into the Pre-Trial Intervention program, according to NJ.com. If they are accepted into the probationary program and complete it successfully, their records would be expunged.

PTI is available to certain first-time offenders.

White is scheduled to appear in court later this month, while Kenny has a court date next month, NJ.com said.

Authorities say they do not believe the children suffered serious injuries.