NYC Babysitter Abuse: Shocking Video & Taxpayer Funds
- A Bronx family is reeling after discovering alleged abuse of their three young children by their city-funded babysitter, La’keysha Jackson, 24.
- Geraldine Jaramillo, the children's mother, employed Jackson through a city program designed to provide caretaking assistance to struggling families.
- The video purportedly shows Jackson striking two of the children nearly 60 times.
Bronx Babysitter Faces Child Abuse Charges After Video Surfaces
Updated June 4, 2024
A Bronx family is reeling after discovering alleged abuse of their three young children by their city-funded babysitter, La’keysha Jackson, 24. Surveillance video reportedly shows Jackson repeatedly hitting the children, ages 2, 4, and 6, with a belt. The family has filed a notice of claim indicating intent to sue, seeking answers from the governance for Children’s Services (ACS) and the NYPD.
Geraldine Jaramillo, the children’s mother, employed Jackson through a city program designed to provide caretaking assistance to struggling families. The alleged abuse came to light when the children’s grandmother reviewed home surveillance footage. Despite reporting the incidents to ACS and the NYPD, the family claims Jackson has not yet been arrested, even after being charged with felonies.
The video purportedly shows Jackson striking two of the children nearly 60 times. In footage from May 6, Jackson can be heard threatening the children before using a belt. The family also alleges that Jackson used Halloween masks and a Santa Claus costume to frighten the children.
Jackson was employed through Selfhelp, an agency contracted by ACS. Jaramillo said she connected with the homemaking service while escaping a domestic violence situation. Initially, jaramillo and her family considered Jackson a part of their family, even allowing her to stay overnight.
“She was beating the kids every other day,” said Rudy Enamorado, the children’s grandfather.
Jaramillo claims the children now exhibit signs of trauma, including fear of the bathroom and increased aggression. She worries they are repeating behaviors they experienced.
Jaramillo also stated that Jackson was the second babysitter provided by the ACS-contracted agency, after the first was allegedly found drinking and smoking while watching the children.
“The worst thing we did was let our guard down,” said Enamorado.
In her last text message to Jaramillo, Jackson professed her “love” for the boys and called it a “learning experience.”
Following the May 6 incident,Jaramillo alleges that ACS opened an investigation into her,rather than Jackson,citing missing documentation from a hospital visit.An ACS spokesperson stated that Jackson no longer works for Selfhelp and that they are cooperating with the NYPD investigation. Selfhelp confirmed Jackson’s termination and stated they conduct background checks and drug testing on employees.
Police sources indicated they attempted to arrest Jackson on assault and child endangerment charges but were unsuccessful. Jackson’s brother reportedly defended her actions, stating such behavior is normal in Black families.
What’s next
Jaramillo seeks justice for her children and aims to uncover the full extent of what occurred in her home, hoping to help her children heal from this alleged child abuse incident.