Newtown Township Police Allege: Preschool Worker Admitted She “Lost Her Cool”; 2-Year-Old Suffered Injuries
NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — A Newtown preschool employee has been charged with Felony endangering the welfare of a child and Misdemeanor simple assault after police alleged surveillance video showed her repeatedly and forcefully handling a 2-year-old student during an incident inside a classroom.
According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by Newtown Township Police on August 6, 2026, Erin Elizabeth Burke of the 300 Block of South Norwood Ave Newtown was working at Newtown Discovery Preschool, 27 Blacksmith Road, when the alleged incident occurred July 24.
The investigation began after police received notification of a ChildLine referral reporting superficial scratches to the child’s neck and the backs of both arms. The referral identified Burke as the employee involved.
Detective Nicholas Moffett of the Newtown Township Police Department was assigned to investigate the case July 27. According to the affidavit, the child’s mother provided investigators with photographs showing two scratches on the right side of her son’s neck, a scratch and abrasion on his right arm and two scratches on his upper left arm.
Police said preschool administrators subsequently provided investigators with employee statements and classroom surveillance footage. According to Detective Moffett’s description of the surveillance video, Burke initially attempted to change the clothing of the child, who appeared to be whining or crying.
Police allege Burke then picked up the child, carried him across the classroom and dropped him face-down approximately six inches onto a cushioned mat. The affidavit alleges that what followed was a series of additional encounters over the next several minutes.
Police said Burke returned to the child approximately 25 seconds later, repositioned him on the mat and forcefully pushed his head into a pillow. At another point, the investigator alleges Burke again placed the child face-down and pushed his head into a pillow from behind.
The affidavit also alleges Burke used her foot to move the child’s legs before later grabbing him by the ankles and pulling him across the mat for a distance nearly equivalent to his body length.
Investigators said Burke then stood the child up, grabbed his left wrist and walked quickly toward the rest of the class as the child struggled to keep pace.
Once Burke reached the carpeted area where other students were sitting, police allege she lifted the 2-year-old completely off the ground by his left wrist, swung him forward and placed him into a seated position next to his classmates.
Later, while carrying the child across the room, Burke allegedly forcefully pushed his head against her chest. Police said another teacher eventually attempted to console the crying child. According to the affidavit, Burke approached while the teacher was comforting him and appeared to speak to both in an agitated manner.
Investigators allege Burke then picked up the child again and took him to another area to change his clothing. During that clothing change, police said Burke struggled to place a shirt over the child’s head and allegedly forced it over him with enough force to cause his head to whip back and forth four times.
The affidavit repeatedly describes Burke’s demeanor during portions of the video as agitated.
According to police, Burke initially reported to a preschool administrator that a student had been scratched and requested another teacher come into the classroom while she spoke with the administrator.
After learning of the injury, an administrator examined the child, photographed the injuries and reviewed classroom surveillance footage, according to the affidavit. Based on what the administrator observed on the video, police said the preschool sent Burke home, notified its director and executive director, contacted the child’s parents and submitted the ChildLine referral.
Detective Moffett interviewed Burke at her residence July 28, according to the affidavit. Police said Burke acknowledged being overwhelmed and burned out at work on the day of the incident and admitted she had “lost her cool” and handled the situation poorly.
According to investigators, Burke said she became frustrated because the child was crying about wanting to go outside. The affidavit states that Burke acknowledged she had been too rough with the child and that her behavior was unacceptable. Police said Burke also acknowledged that the injuries to the child’s arms and neck resulted from her grabbing him out of frustration.
According to the affidavit, Burke told investigators she should have stepped away and allowed an assistant teacher to console the child rather than taking her frustration out on him. Following consultation with the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, police charged Burke with endangering the welfare of a child and simple assault, according to the criminal complaint.
Editor Note: This article is based on allegations contained in the criminal complaint and affidavit of probable cause which are publicly filed court records. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Read the complaint below: