Babysitter arrested for child abuse; What parents should know

Colorado Springs police arrested a babysitter Wednesday, officers say she abused a 10-month old baby.

According to police, the woman was caught on camera shaking the baby’s car seat.

The video can’t be shared at this time because it’s police evidence, but the mother of the baby saw it for herself.

Sarah Tirado says it was unbearable to watch.

“The woman in the video seemed really angry. I almost didn’t watch it, but then I wanted to know the truth,” said Tirado.

The Tirado family recently moved to the Colorado Springs for the military. Being new to town, they say they used a military spouse Facebook page to find a babysitter.

“We’re all in the same boat together, you just trust those people,” Tirado said.

Tirado said the babysitter she found on social media seemed trustworthy, but a week later a video surfaced of her daughter, Autumn.

“The babysitter was shaking the car seat, knocking it around. To put it in the most polite way, she had lost her temper,” Tirado said about the video.

Police say the babysitter is facing a misdemeanor child abuse charge. Officers can’t comment on the details of what happened since it’s an ongoing investigation.

“It’s so hard to say what to do to prevent this,” said Tirado.

“If you can afford it, a child care service center is the best way to go, because they are regulated,” said Krystal Grint, the Child Protection Manager with El Paso County.

“I would communicate with them, bring your kids before hand, meet with them, do a background check,” said Grint.

Bottom line, Grint says, ask for references and ask tough questions.

“Thank god she’s not hurt. The only thing getting me through this day by day, is looking at her and seeing how blissfully unaware she is,” said Tirado.

Tirado says the video was taken by another child who was also being babysat.

KRDO will keep you updated on this developing story.