Monthly Archives: July 2025

3 Charged With Abusing Toddlers at Manhattan Branch of Child Care Giant

All three employees — Evelyn Vargas, Latia Townes and Shakia Henley — are charged with multiple counts of child endangerment, a misdemeanor, Alvin L. Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney, said in a news release this week. Ms. Vargas, 47, is also charged with felony counts of assault, strangulation and attempted assault. Ms. Townes, 24, is charged with attempted assault as well.

Phoenix House, proven approach to mental health care, rises in Harlem

Harlem welcomed a city-funded peer clubhouse on 138th Street from provider Phoenix House on July 28 in a ribbon-cutting ceremony. City Councilmember Yusef Salaam, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and Assemblymember Jordan Wright helped with the honors. The site soft-launched on June 2 and membership currently is at around a dozen people.

Bright Horizons Day Care Workers Indicted for Alleged Abuse of Toddlers at Columbus Circle Location

Three former employees of the Bright Horizons in Columbus Circle have now been indicted following a months-long investigation into alleged abuse of children under their care. The charges follow a February complaint to the city’s Health Department, which launched an immediate investigation and reported its findings to the Administration for Children’s Services. The school is located at 910 Eighth Avenue (between 58th and 59th streets) and is part of one of the largest daycare networks in the country.