Disturbing allegations have come to light against a Suffolk County day care and one of its employees.

The investigation stems from a complaint about interactions between two children and a now-former employee at Ally’s Alley Daycare in Holtsville.

One of the children involved is Stacia Lorenzo’s 4-year-old son, AJ. The incidents occurred on Aug. 17, but Lorenzo said she was never notified by the day care. She said she did not learn about the incident until Aug. 20 when a worker from Child Protective Services visited their home to discuss what happened.

Lorenzo said a staff member was aggressive with her son and another child.

The day care confirmed they have video of the incident, which has been shared with state and local authorities, plus the parents of the children involved.

Lorenzo said she was sick to her stomach when she saw it.

“There is a little child that's seen on video where she kind of takes his head, pulls his hair and pushes his head forward,” Lorenzo said. “My son's just standing there. He's not talking. He's not out of line. He's just standing there waiting his turn and she grabs him by his arms, she swings him, and he falls backwards on his bottom. She ripped him up by his arm and dragged him into the bathroom.”

Lorenzo shared photos of bruises on AJ’s arm that she believes were caused by the incident. They were still noticeable days later.

“To see your child being abused in that way, I would never touch my child like that. I would never touch anybody else's children like that,” said Lorenzo. “And nobody said anything to us. The way we found out was CPS. CPS knocking at our door.”

Even though another day care employee who observed the interaction contacted CPS shortly after the incident, Lorenzo wants to know why she was kept in the dark by the daycare for four days.

“We asked how she could have not contacted us immediately with regard to either incident and she said she didn't know until right before we found out,” Lorenzo said.

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services, which is the state oversight authority, launched an investigation after receiving the complaint.

The complaint was substantiated, and the agency found Ally’s Alley violated 19 regulations, including requirements that day cares immediately notify the parent and OCFS about serious incidents.

OCFS also cited Ally’s Alley Daycare for violating rules about background checks and for violating regulations that require day care centers to employ staff who promote the physical, intellectual, social, cultural and emotional well-being of children.

Team 12 Investigates reached out to the day care owner and director, Allison Kendall, but she referred the questions to her attorney. Kendall emailed a statement that reads in part, “While we have grown in scale since our opening days, one thing remains constant and that is my love for all the little ones in our care.”

Through an attorney, the day care said its ability to comment on the specific nature of the events and the individuals/children involved are limited due to the matter remaining under investigation.

In a statement on behalf of Ally’s Alley Daycare, Inc., an attorney tells Team 12 Investigates, “Ally’s Alley has continued its policy of transparency. To that end, families were, and continue to be, reassured that such allegations are not taken lightly. Families have also been informed that the employee in question is no longer a member of the staff.”

However, it may not be enough to help Lorenzo rebuild what’s been broken.

“How do you leave your kid with anybody at this point? You know, we fully trusted Ally’s Alley,” Lorenzo said. “My sister's children went there. My family and friends’ children went there. We had no reason to doubt them. And then this happened. So how do you trust anybody?”

Families told Team 12 Investigates that they were asked by Kendall and her attorney to reach out to News 12 and share positive experiences they’ve had with the day care. Many parents did send in messages of support, stating that while saddened by news of the incident, they are grateful for what Ally’s Alley Daycare has done for their children.

The day care is addressing the 19 violations issued by OCFS and an investigation is ongoing.

Full statement from attorney, Lisa Borsella, on behalf of Ally’s Alley Daycare, Inc.

Full statement from Allison “Miss Ally” Kendall, director of Ally’s Alley Daycare, Inc.