NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - A Snapchat video titled “nap time struggle” appears to show a worker at a church day care center in South Carolina sitting on and hitting children.
The 10-second video shows a woman hitting a blanket-covered figure and using her hand to slap the uncovered leg of a child on a different cot. The woman’s left leg is outstretched and rests on a blanket-covered figure on a third cot.
News outlets reported Wednesday the video was taken at the North Charleston United Methodist Church Learning Center, which is open to members and the public.
The Rev. Richard Reams says he learned of the video Tuesday.
“I couldn’t believe what I was watching,” Reams told WCBD-TV.
He said he immediately reported the video to the North Charleston Police Department and the state Department of Social Services.
“We wanted every agency to know as soon as we did,” Reams said.
The church turned over surveillance video footage from inside the day care center to authorities, he said. The individuals associated with the video are “no longer here,” Reams said.
He said the church sent a letter to parents and church members Wednesday explaining what appears to have happened and the steps taken to cooperate with authorities.
“All I can do is control how we respond in the present to regain or build trust,” he said. “The only way I know to do that is being authentic and transparent.”
North Charleston police spokesman Spencer Pryor said detectives are investigating the video.
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