Investigation into alleged abuse at the Hopkinsville First United Methodist Church daycare continues following the arrest this week of a former employee.
As previously reported, an arrest warrant against 23-year old Allison Simpson of Hopkinsville alleges she, “subjected a 10 month old baby in her care to cruel confinement and punishment and wantonly engaged in conduct toward another baby, 8 months old, which created a substantial danger of serious physical injury to both babies.”
She was lodged in the Christian County Jail on charges of second-degree criminal child abuse and two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment.
Hopkinsville Police Department Public Information Officer Mike Atkins says there is no additional information to release at this time, but adds it’s an ongoing investigation.
Rev. Paige Williams is pastor of the church and addressed the issue Sunday morning during a service that was streamed live on Facebook, saying the allegations were taken seriously as soon as the church became aware.
She says Simpson was terminated and the director of the daycare resigned last week.
The daycare reopened Tuesday under the direction of Mindy Campbell, who also serves as director of the First United Methodist Church pre-school and kindergarten.
Rev. Williams says the Department of Community Based Services has also been involved in the investigation and had a representative at the church Friday.
The alleged abuse committed by Simpson was captured on video surveillance, according to the warrant.