INDIANAPOLIS — Veronica Donjuan and Maisey Strole sit on the couch now as friends, the two brought together after their children went through the unimaginable.
"I am still dealing with the remnants of the abuse. My daughter cries in her sleep — something that did not occur before going to this day care," Donjuan said.
Donjuan said her 2-year-old daughter was one of the four children battered February at Victory Academy Preschool, located on the northwest side of Indianapolis at 3737 N. Raceway Road.
According to police, it was at the hands of her teacher, 34-year-old Brittany Collins.
"I hope it eats at Brittany knowing that my daughter loved her because she was her caretaker when I couldn't be there because I have to work, and she hurt that little person who looked at her with so much love," Donjuan said.
According to court documents, police say they reviewed footage from Feb. 8 and Feb. 9.
The detective investigating the case claims there were several incidents where Collins was seen hurting a child.
"Brittany Collins grabbed her by her arm, flung her up in the air, and slammed her down face-first into her cot. When I saw that, I started crying immediately. I was in such shock. I couldn't believe that someone I entrusted with my daughter would hurt her in that way," Donjuan said.
Less than a minute later, police say Collins went up to Strole's 2-year-old son.
"So we see Brittany Collins pick him up by his arm. Pick him up, slam him back down on his face on the cot, and then, she kind of flips him back over, and then, roughly puts his blanket back on him," Strole said.
13News reached out to Victory Academy Preschool for an interview upon first hearing of the allegations. The school responded with the following statement:
"The staff of Victory Academy and Spirit of Life Church are aware of the incident that occurred on Friday, February 9, 2024. As is our legal obligation, we immediately reported the details of the incident to the Department of Child Services. Due to the nature of the incident and the ongoing status of the inquiry, we decline to comment any further at this time."
"This has not only affected our small children, but this has also affected all of our families, all of our extended families, and it's just so much deeper," Strole said. "I don't think she understands what she has done. Like, the emotional damage."
13News reached out to Collins' attorney but were told by her receptionist, "No comment."
As far as the video of the incident that the parents and police are referencing, 13News has not been able to see it.
Child abuse and neglect resources
If you think a child is being abused or neglected, call the DCS Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-800-5556.
If you can, provide DCS with the following information:
- Who was involved
- What occurred
- When and where it occurred
- The extent of any injuries sustained
- Any other relevant information
Even if you don't know all that information, DCS urges you to call and report if you suspect a child is a victim of abuse or neglect. State law requires DCS to protect the identity of those reporting abuse or neglect allegations, so you can remain anonymous.
There is more information available at the Indiana Department of Child Services website.
If you would like to help victims of child abuse and neglect, Kid's Voice Indiana has a Court Appointed Special Advocate program. This lets volunteers advocate for child victims who don't have another trusted adult to stand up for them. You can learn more about the CASA program here. Kid's Voice estimates more than 3,100 kids in Marion County need help from a CASA volunteer.