Babylon day care worker faces child endangerment charges; accused of being intoxicated on the job
Police said Maria Rubino was taking care the young children, ranging from four to eighteen months, when she passed out at Pride & Joy Child Care in Babylon.
A Babylon day care worker accused of being intoxicated while in the care of five children is facing child endangerment charges.
Police said Maria Rubino was taking care the young children, ranging from four to eighteen months, when she passed out at Pride & Joy Childcare in Babylon. As she was being taken to the hospital, News 12 was told that paramedics smelled alcohol on the Great Neck woman’s breath and was showing signs of being intoxicated.
The director of the day care, Stephanie Spence, said Rubino showed up to work Monday morning and seemed OK. About an hour and a half later however, Spence says Rubino was slouched over. The day care director then called 911.
“Couple hours later, we did get a visit from [Child Protective Services] and we were notified that she had some type of drug and alcohol in her system," said Spence.
Spence said Rubino is no longer working at the day care. She said the 38-year-old just started working there two weeks ago and was cleared through the state. She worked as a substitute teacher and at other day cares in the past.
“We just want to keep the children here safe. That is our number one priority here. We are so sorry to all the families that this even happened," said Spence.
Mike DeLorenzo, of Babylon, said he’s been taking his children to Pride and Joy Child Care since they were 3 months old.
“All the teachers have been wonderful. Unfortunately, this is an isolated incident and it’s sad to hear but I know the kids are in good hands," he said.
Rubino was charged with five counts of endangering the welfare of a child. She is scheduled to be arraigned in March.
