Maine Daycare Worker Sentenced After Child Assault Case

A Carmel woman convicted of assaulting a child at a Brewer daycare has been sentenced to seven days in jail and one year of probation.

According to WABI TV 5, Blake Sullivan appeared in Penobscot County court, where she tearfully apologized for the incident, which occurred April 2 of last year at Elevate Childcare in Brewer.

Surveillance video captured Sullivan slamming a child to the ground, an incident that prosecutors described as an abuse of power against a vulnerable child, the news station reported.

The child’s family said they were not notified about the incident until more than a month later, in May.

During the sentencing hearing, Sullivan’s family members told the court the case has taken a significant emotional toll and described the incident as a “poor moment,” saying they do not believe Sullivan is a violent person, according to WABI.

The child’s parents and grandparents also addressed the court, describing the lasting impact the incident has had on their family.

Speaking on behalf of the child’s mother, Deputy District Attorney Chelsea Lynds said the case involved a serious breach of trust.

“This is not just a momentary lapse in judgment,” Lynds said. “It was an abuse of power over a vulnerable child who could not protect himself.”

In addition to jail time and probation, WABI went on to say Sullivan has been ordered to undergo mental health counseling, is barred from working with children during her probation, and may have no contact with the victim or the victim’s family.

Elevate Childcare, the Brewer daycare where the incident occurred, has since closed.