Inset: Ashley Marie Karschnick (Fond du Lac County Jail). Background: Lily Pad day care in Wisconsin (Google Maps).
In a deeply troubling incident at a Wisconsin day care, a worker allegedly injured a 3-month-old infant after becoming frustrated with the child’s cries. The incident unfolded at Lily Pad Day Care in Fond du Lac, located about 70 miles northwest of Milwaukee, leading to serious charges against the caregiver involved.
Ashley Marie Karschnick, 32, now faces accusations of child abuse for recklessly causing harm, according to court records. The alleged abuse took place on October 13, and the incident came to light when the infant arrived at a children’s hospital with a broken arm. Local ABC affiliate WBAY reported that police responded promptly to the hospital upon receiving information about the injury.
Karschnick was on duty in the day care’s infant room when the incident occurred. Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators reportedly showed her growing increasingly frustrated throughout the day. The distressing event that resulted in the infant’s broken arm is said to have happened around 12:30 p.m. The video allegedly captures Karschnick lifting the baby and forcefully slamming her into the crib, causing the crib to rock and a loud thump to be heard, according to an affidavit.
Approximately 10 minutes after the initial incident, Karschnick reportedly returned to the crib, attempting to swaddle the infant in an effort to soothe her. Despite these efforts, the baby continued to cry intensely, described by authorities as a “blood-curdling scream,” while appearing to have a limp and non-functional arm.
In her defense, Karschnick, during a post-Miranda interview, denied the allegations of slamming the baby. She claimed that the crib moved because she accidentally bumped into it. Detectives questioned her about the child’s intense crying, seeking to understand the severity of the situation.
Post-Miranda, Karschnick denied slamming the baby, claiming she caused the crib to move in that fashion after she bumped into it. Detectives also asked why the girl was screaming so loudly.
“I feel like it was the same cry she was giving me,” she allegedly said. “I feel like every time I touched her she was crying.”
Cops arrested Karschnick and took her to jail where she has since posted a $2,500 bond. She’s slated to appear in court on Tuesday.
