HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. - Hillsborough County Sheriff's detectives have arrested a second suspect for child abuse at a daycare where the co-own
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – Hillsborough County Sheriff’s detectives have arrested a second suspect for child abuse at a daycare where the co-owner was first charged.
On Monday, June 20, 2022, Tara Ballou, a teacher, and employee of Children’s Land of Imagination Academy, was seen physically abusing a child.
In surveillance video obtained by HCSO detectives, the 28-year-old instructor, in an attempt to put a child down for a nap, can be seen forcefully pushing and pulling the child’s arms, legs, head, and neck with her hands.
She also placed her left leg across the top of the victim’s body to hold him down. The child victim was crying and flailing their legs throughout the incident. This happened approximately half an hour before Rong Liu, the co-owner of the daycare, attempted similar tactics on a child to get him to nap.
On Tuesday, August 23, 2022, deputies arrested Tara Ballou and charged her with child abuse. This is just 4 days after her boss, Rong Liu was also arrested and charged with Child Abuse.
To see the video, click here.
“The arrest of a second person in this case shows the dedication our investigators have in seeking out those who harm the innocent and vulnerable.” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “The video is hard to watch, but gives us a clear view of the mistreatment happening under their watch. We ask all parents who feel their children may have been victims of abuse at this daycare to talk with our detectives.”
The investigation is ongoing, and any future updates will come from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Public Affairs Office. If you have any more information regarding this case, or feel your child may be a victim of abuse, please call HCSO at (813) 247-8200.
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