Mansfield nursery worker smeared leftover food in child's face then tried to cover it up

A nursery worker smeared leftover food in the face of a child she was supposed to be looking after and then tried to cover it up.

Helen Walker pushed the food into the toddler's face, ignoring his cries of distress.The incident was reported to police and the 49-year-old was arrested.

Officers analysed CCTV that showed Walker scooping up the food and searching for the child, who police said has "additional needs".Walker, of Watson Avenue, Mansfield, smeared the food in the child's face and tried to cover it up.

She was seen on CCTV approaching another child and loudly suggesting the young victim had taken the food from them.She pleaded guilty to one count of assault, ill-treatment or neglect of a child and was jailed for five months at Nottingham Crown Court on Wednesday (15 May).Investigator Jacqui Edwards, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Nursery staff are placed in the ultimate position of trust to care for young children.

"Walker betrayed that trust with these appalling actions, which are further aggravated by the fact our young victim has additional needs.“She then tried to portray the child as a troublemaker in an attempt to conceal what she had done.

"The safeguarding of children is of paramount importance to the force. Once alerted to this offence, specialist officers have carried out a thorough investigation which has led to this outcome in court.“I would like to thank the child’s parents for their help through what must have been a very difficult experience.

"We will continue to support them in any way we can."Nursery staff and management should also be commended for taking immediate action against Walker and informing police.

"They have also supported our investigation throughout."

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