Ex-childcare employee sentenced to child abuse in Onslow Co.

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — A former childcare worker has pleaded guilty to felony child abuse and was sentenced earlier this month.

On June 10, McKayla Sausser pleaded guilty to Felony Child Abuse. A judge sentenced her to three years of supervised probation and a 10-month sentence of incarceration.

Officials said on June 10, 2019, EMS responded to Childcare Network Daycare, located at 101 Beaufort Dr. in Sneads Ferry for an infant not breathing. The child was transported by EMS to Onslow Memorial Hospital.

Medical workers at Onslow Memorial Hospital determined the child had suffered from a head injury. The child was then evaluated by medical professionals at ECU Health Medical Center, where it was determined the injuries were non-accidental.

An investigation began and video footage revealed the defendant, Bethan Pringle, had abused the child multiple times on the day of the incident, which resulted in the child’s injuries. Bethan was a teacher at the Childcare Network Daycare at the time of the incident. She was arrested on June 19, 2019, and issued a $100,000 secured bond.

It was later determined that the child’s assistant teacher, Sausser, was also observed abusing the same child at the same time, which also resulted in the child’s injuries. Sausser was arrested on July 23, 2019, for Felony Child Abuse and issued a $100,000 secured bond.

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