Babysitter Accused of Child Abuse

(Ocean Pines, Maryland) A 19-year-old babysitter, Carleigh Renee Kufchak, has been arrested for allegedly abusing a severely disabled 8-year-old girl she was babysitting.

Kufchak faces charges of first- and second-degree child abuse, second-degree assault and reckless endangerment.

A doctor recommended videotaping the child's behavior since she is blind and autistic.

Court documents show that while reviewing the surveillance video taken from inside the home on Friday, June 25, the child's mother observed Kufchak hitting her daughter multiple times and dragging her around by her legs.

In addition, Kufchak is accused of throwing the child down, causing an injury to her leg. The charging documents further state that the surveillance video showed Kufchak slapping and pushing the child approximately 10 times.

Kufchak had been babysitting the child for nearly two years and had watched her alone without supervision since January of this year, according to the charging documents.

Kufchak was booked into custody and released on $25,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 29.