Bridgehampton couple alleges their child was abused at Side By Side Child Care Center in Southampton

A Bridgehampton couple says that their baby daughter was force-fed by a day care worker until she vomited. Caroline and John Stella say their 18-month-old daughter Emmi would return home from the Side

News 12 Staff

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Nov 19, 2015, 3:17 AM

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Updated 3,172 days ago

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A Bridgehampton couple says that their baby daughter was force-fed by a day care worker until she vomited.

Caroline and John Stella say their 18-month-old daughter Emmi would return home from the Side by Side Child Care Center in Southampton with unexplained cuts and bruises.

The Bridgehampton couple has filed a notice of claim, the step before filing a lawsuit.

Caroline Stella says that back in August, allegations surfaced that workers Kathleen Culver and Sarah Dawber abused Emmi in the infant room at the center.

Caroline Stella says an employee, sick over witnessing the abuse, contacted her at home.

Court documents show that the two day care workers are accused of allegedly slamming the child into the floor and force-feeding her.

"My daughter was 18 months old at the time of the incident, a potato roll was stuffed into my child's mouth until she vomited," says John Stella.

Caroline Stella says her child was yelled at, tossed around and force-fed continually over a six-month period.

The center closed shortly after the arrest of the two employees, who are now facing child endangerment charges.

The attorney for the couple says he believes there are other victims.

The two women charged with endangering the welfare of a child are due back in court on Dec. 9.

The Stellas say they hope to push for legislation that would require cameras installed in day care centers.

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