Woman admits pushing little girl down a flight of steps
MEDIA COURTHOUSE » A former day care worker who was captured on surveillance video pushing a 4-year-old girl down a flight of stairs in March pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges of simple assault and endangering the welfare of a child, both misdemeanors of the first degree.
Sarah A. Gable, 53, of the 1900 block of Carter Road in Folcroft, entered open guilty pleas to both counts before Delaware County Common Pleas Court President Judge Kevin F. Kelly. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 16.
Gable remains free on $25,000 unsecured bail. Kelly has ordered a presentence investigation. Assistant District Attorney Danielle Gallaher did not recommend a sentence due to the open nature of the plea. Defense counsel Dan McGarrigle indicated a psychological evaluation has already been completed and he would be sending that report to the judge’s chambers prior to sentencing.
Gable was fired from the Childcare of the Future day care center in the Primos section of Upper Darby immediately following her March 3 arrest. She had been employed at the center since June. Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood previously called the incident “a horrific act, a betrayal of trust.”
“We entrust our children with certified people who are supposed to care for our children as if they were their own,” said Chitwood. “I have no idea why … but the video shows her pushing a 4-year-old little girl down a flight of five or six steps.”
Police were dispatched the day care center at 723 Secane Ave. the afternoon of March 3 after receiving a report of an assault on a minor, according to an affidavit of probable cause written by Detective Kevin Dinan.
Officer James Taylor spoke with the center’s owner and an employee who saw Gable’s actions on live video surveillance. Taylor also viewed the video, which shows the victim come to the top of a stairwell and grab a handrail before Gable walks in and shoves the child from behind, launching her down five steps and onto a landing.
Gable then follows the child and helps the little girl to her feet before escorting her down a longer set of steps, but not before looking directly into a camera mounted at a high corner of the stairwell.
Taylor also spoke with the child’s guardian. The affidavit states the child was checked out and did not appear to have any signs of injury, though she did complain of having knee pain.
Chitwood said the girl returned to the day care the following Monday, but described her as being “scared to death.” He commended the center for taking swift action in notifying police.