North Carolina day care workers investigated for alleged assault after teacher records 3-year-old

Two North Carolina day care workers face investigation after a teacher filmed a 3-year-old being trapped in a closet and sprayed with soapy water.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 31, 2026, 9:37 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from KCRG

Whistleblower Video Triggers Investigation at Childcare Facility

A criminal investigation is underway at the Childcare Network in Leland, North Carolina, following disturbing allegations of physical and emotional abuse against a 3-year-old student. The case gained momentum after a fellow teacher came forward with video evidence and witness testimony regarding two separate incidents of assault. This internal reporting has shifted the focus toward the facility's safety protocols and the conduct of its staff, as local law enforcement agencies work to determine the full extent of the misconduct and whether other children were targeted.

Allegations of Targeted Abuse and Confinement Surface

The specific details of the reported assaults describe a pattern of punitive and harmful behavior by two separate staff members. In one instance, an educator is accused of spraying a bottle of soapy water directly into the toddler's mouth as a disciplinary measure. A second incident, captured on video by the reporting teacher, allegedly shows the boy being trapped in a closet and held there until he ceased crying. These events, which reportedly occurred in December and January, have raised serious alarms about the lack of professional oversight and the presence of abusive disciplinary tactics within the center.

Traumatic Impact on Victim and Parental Response

Leslie Hough, the mother of the victim, expressed profound distress after viewing the footage of her son's confinement. She described her child as a loving and energetic boy who has been left deeply traumatized by the experiences, resulting in a fear of attending any childcare facility. Hough has since removed her son from the center and is publicly calling for the termination of the facility's director as well as formal criminal charges against the teachers involved. The family is currently seeking to address the emotional fallout of the abuse while navigating the slow process of the legal system.