Daycare voluntarily closes its doors for a week after altercation leads to arrest

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — A Buffalo daycare has voluntarily closed its doors for the rest of the week after an altercation led to the arrest of the daycare director.

Police said the incident happened Tuesday at a daycare in the 300 block of Kensington Avenue. 7 News has learned it was at Mary’s Little Lambs Preschool and Child Care Center. The daycare director, Mary Goodwill, 52, of Tonawanda, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child and second-degree harassment.

Police say around noon, officers went to the daycare Tuesday for an alleged assault. Police said a 17-year-old woman got into a verbal altercation with the manager over allegations that an employee harmed a child. The altercation reportedly became physical and the 17-year-old was pushed out in front of a class of children.

Police said more parents were arriving at the daycare throughout the day because of a social media post alleging their children had been abused.

Erie County Child Protective Services (CPS) and New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) responded to investigate the parents’ allegations . Police said the daycare voluntarily closed its doors for the week while the investigation continued. The Buffalo Police Special Victims Unit is also investigating.