A nursery worker stands accused of breaking a three-month-old baby's arm after allegedly slamming the infant into a crib in a moment of frustration, according to police reports.
The Horrific Incident
Ashley Karschnick, 32, has been charged with one felony count of child abuse after the disturbing incident at Lily Pad Day Care in Fond du Lac. Authorities state the worker became increasingly frustrated when the baby cried every time she touched her.
The criminal complaint obtained by local news outlet WBAY reveals that police responded to a children's hospital after the infant was admitted with a fractured arm. Medical records from Children's Wisconsin show the baby suffered what doctors described as a "minimal displaced spiral fracture of the mid left humeral diaphysis" - an injury consistent with physical abuse.
CCTV Evidence Reveals Shocking Details
Police conducted an extensive investigation that included multiple interviews and thorough review of surveillance footage. The video evidence allegedly shows Karschnick working in the baby room on the day of the incident, becoming "more and more frustrated" as the day progressed.
The critical moment occurred around 12:30 p.m. when Karschnick allegedly picked up the baby and threw her into the crib with sufficient force to make the crib rock side to side. An affidavit describes hearing "a thump from the impact on the mattress" during the violent action.
Aftermath and Legal Proceedings
Approximately ten minutes after the initial incident, footage reportedly shows Karschnick returning to the crib to attempt swaddling the baby. By this point, the infant was crying so intensely that it sounded like "a blood-curdling scream" and her arm appeared to be malfunctioning.
Despite the compelling video evidence, Karschnick denied the allegations, claiming she merely bumped into the crib causing it to rock. When detectives questioned why the baby was screaming so loudly, she allegedly responded: "I feel like it was the same cry she was giving me. I feel like every time I touched her, she was crying."
Karschnick is currently in jail after posting a $2,500 (£1,916) bond. During a court hearing on October 28, her defence team argued for permission to allow her access to public places where children might be present, such as supermarkets. The judge maintained the existing bond conditions, keeping those restrictions in place.
