Former N.J. daycare worker accused of assaulting baby gets brief prison sentence

A Morris County woman sentenced to five years probation upon the condition she spend 90 days in prison after pleading guilty to endangering the welfare of a child at a daycare in Mount Olive, officials from the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office announced Friday.

Christina Susco, 38, of Budd Lake pleaded guilty to one count of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child in November 2024 after she was accused of assaulting a 16-month-old child at the Mount Olive Child Care & Learning Center, where she worked earlier in the year, officials said.

Susco must also abide by all Division of Child Protection and Permanency recommendations, have no contact with the victim or her family, undergo a mental health evaluation and have no contact with the Mount Olive Child Care & Learning Center, according to officials.

Authorities accused Susco of assaulting the child on March 25, 2024, but did not provide details on the incident and investigation.

The executive director of the daycare, Gail Reuther told NJ Advance Media in May that Susco was fired from her job at the daycare.

“This is a unique and distressing incident, and we are shocked and embarrassed that this occurred at our Center, which has a 47-year history of service to the community and quality services to the children and families,” Reuther said in a written statement to NJ Advance Media at the time the charges were filed last year.

”Our staff members are well-trained, and Christina knew the rules and procedures. We have cameras and video monitoring throughout the school, and we also provide frequent supervision of all staff. Please be assured that we took immediate action to ensure the safety and care for all the children at the Center.”

Susco’s attorney, Robert Scrivo, said Friday that she regrets injuring the child and that she is an “outstanding mother.”

“Christina had no intention to hurt the child,” Scrivo said in an email. “That said, she is deeply sorry that her actions led to the child being injured. She is an outstanding mother to her children, daughter to her parents, and granddaughter to her grandmother, all of whom she provides tremendous love and care.”