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NH Daycare Worker Charged With Abusing Infants

MANCHESTER, N.H. (CBS) – An employee has been charged with assault after she allegedly abused infants at a New Hampshire daycare.

About two weeks ago, Manchester Police's child abuse task force began investigating allegations of inappropriate care at Alpha-Bits Learning Center.

Police identified daycare employee Chelsea Blais, 32, as a suspect.

"She wasn't the friendliest from my experience, but nothing significant that would have prompted me to think anything horrible like this," daycare parent Kelly Ashburner said.

Manchester Daycare
Alpha Bits Learning Center. (Paul Burton/WBZ)

Blais was charged with four counts of simple assault against three victims, who are all under the age of one.

"No major injuries, but I can't get into their conditions either," said Manchester Police Det. Sgt. Matthew Larochelle.

No further details about the alleged abuse is currently available.

Manchester Police said Alpha-Bits has been cooperative with the investigation and has worked with families to ensure the safety of other children who Blais cared for.

Alpha-Bits owners released a statement Tuesday afternoon, saying they learned of the allegations on March 2 and took "immediate corrective action."

"We are fully cooperating with the Manchester Police Department and the State of New Hampshire's Child Care Licensing Unit in their investigation on this matter," daycare officials said. "Alpha-Bits is committed to providing a safe, nurturing environment to every child entrusted to our care."

Ashburner praised the way the daycare handled the situation, saying they alerted parents about the allegations immediately. Still, she said Blais' alleged actions are troubling.

"It's a parent's nightmare, an absolute nightmare," she said.

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