73-Year-Old LI Day Care Owner Arrested After Allegedly Screaming At Child

ROOSEVELT, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The operator of a Long Island day care has been arrested for allegedly endangering the welfare of a 6-year-old under the center's care.

Carolyn Reid, 73, was arrested after allegedly screaming at the 6-year-old His World Day Care student after the child refused to put on her seat belt while on a school bus, police said.

"Defendant Reid did scream at the child, did pick her up by her arm and threw her back down onto the seat," Nassau County Police Detective Lt. Richard LeBrun said.

According to police, the child was not injured, but has red marks on her face -- enough to warrant charges of endangerment, WLNY TV 10/55's Long Island Bureau Chief Richard Rose reported.

"It was an inappropriate contact between the operator of the school and the 6-year-old victim," LeBrun said.

Police said they have surveillance video of the incident, but as part of their investigation are not releasing it. They add they know of no other prior incidents at the center.

Several neighbors were stunned by the arrest, adding they had never seen any evidence of trouble at the day care center over the years.

"This is the most kindly Christian woman that I've ever seen, and I find it very difficult to believe," Errol Andrews, whose daughter was taught by Reid, said.

Another neighbor said hundreds of children have been tutored at the day care over the last 15 years.

"Many of them have graduated from high school and are going now to University," Sara Rosa McKenzie said.

Reid declined to be interviewed for this story.

If convicted, Reid could face up to a year in prison.