South Fayette Daycare Closed After Employees Charged

July 2, 2023 3:07 am

(WPXI) The Tots Spot Daycare in South Fayette Township is closed indefinitely, their summer camp abruptly shut down as well, after two employees were charged with felony aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children and conspiracy. The charges come after a grandparent brought audio evidence of abuse to the township police department. Police charged The Tots Spot Director, Kelli Verdu, and employee, Heather Habovick, saying they were caught on audio targeting a girl who is under four years old. The girl’s grandmother told police she became concerned after finding pinch marks on the child’s arm, and the girl said they referred to her as “big fat baby”. The grandparent hid an audio recording device in the child’s bookbag, which the grandparent told police captured eight hours of evidence.  Police released some of those details in the criminal complaint .The audio reportedly captured Heather telling the girl twice she was going to strangle her and after the little girl is heard screaming and crying. Habovick also reportedly said to take the girl outside alone and then telling her if she lets go she will fall backward. There’s a thud and the girl cries out. Verdu was arraigned Friday morning and released on bond. Habovick has not yet been arraigned.