BUDD LAKE, NJ — A former Morris County daycare teacher has been sentenced to 90 days in jail after injuring a 16-month-old child that was in her care, officials said.
Christina Susco, 38, was accused of fracturing the infant’s skull last March while working at the Mount Olive Child Care and Learning Center. The Budd Lake resident pleaded guilty in November to a third-degree charge of endangering the welfare of a child.
On Friday, a judge sentenced Susco to 90 days in the Morris County Correctional Facility, and five years of probation. Upon release, she was ordered to not have any contact with the victim or her family, to undergo a mental health evaluation, and not to have any contact with her former employer.
The day care previously told Patch that they had terminated her employment upon learning of the incident.
Detectives said she was seen on surveillance video taking care of the infant on March 25, 2024. At one point, she moved to an area that is mostly out of camera view before appearing to set the child down on the floor.
A detective later saw the child “wobbling while walking” and crying. The child was treated for a left occipital skull fracture, officials said.
According to officials, Susco admitted to “becoming frustrated and overwhelmed” with the child and said the assault was unintentional.
She was also ordered to abide by all Division of Child Protection and Permanency recommendations upon release from jail.
