Cross Lanes Child Care Worker Accused of Physical and Verbal Abuse
Amber Seiler, a daycare worker at Cross Lanes Child Care and Learning Center, is facing three charges of misconduct after local deputies found evidence that the woman had hit special needs children and spit on a 4-year-old child. These charges come after an investigation was launched by the West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS).
Founded in 2015, Cross Lanes Child Care and Learning Center offers care for toddlers and infants for working parents in addition to preschool programs, before and after school programs, and summer programs for older children. The DoHS says they launched the investigation in connection with a video that was circulating on social media depicting footage from inside a classroom at the daycare center. The footage captured the verbal and physical abuse.
Amber Seiler is charged with two counts of misdemeanor battery and a felony count of battery and assault of a disabled child. Her charges may lead to a possible prison sentence.
Detectives with the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office spoke with a former worker at the facility who had captured the audio recording of Seiler spitting on a 4-year-old girl. The former worker witnessed the incident as well. She said she additionally witnessed Seiler strike special needs children on the mouths on multiple occasions between April and September of 2024.
Ashley Shaffer, the parent who made the original Facebook post, said that the classroom was made up entirely of 4-year-old children. Her post was shared thousands of times over social media platforms.
What Happens Next?
The DoHS launched an immediate investigation and will determine any necessary actions based on its findings, which could include closing Cross Lanes Child Care and Learning Center. The agency urged anyone who suspected an incident of abuse at this facility to file a report.
At Hendrickson & Long, PLLC, our attorneys have experience handling cases involving incidents of abuse at childcare centers just like this and understand how critical it is for abusers to get the punishment they deserve to deter further abuse. Children with special needs are often vulnerable to abuse of this nature and can struggle with knowing how to communicate when it occurs. At the same time, these are the children that abuse like this can harm the most, often leading to lifelong mental and emotional struggles.
If you know a child who has potentially suffered from abuse at this facility or others like it, we encourage you to get in touch with our personal injury attorneys today. Our compassionate legal team is prepared to help you get the justice you and your family deserve.
