Reports of child abuse in New York City daycares have risen sharply, with the proportion of substantiated cases nearly doubling over the past fiscal year, according to data released in the annual Mayor’s Management Report. The report, covering the final six months of former Mayor Eric Adams’ administration and the first six months under Mayor Mamdan, highlights growing concerns amid the city’s expansion of early childcare services.
During the last fiscal year, there were 564 reported instances of child abuse in city-regulated daycare centers, with 24.4% of those cases substantiated. This marks a significant increase from the previous fiscal year, when only 13.1% of reported cases were confirmed, even though there were 7% fewer overall reports of neglect and abuse. The rise in substantiated cases has alarmed elected officials and child welfare advocates alike.
“The child-care numbers are especially hard to ignore,” said Councilman Frank Morano, who serves on the governmental operations committee. “Reports went up 7%, but the share that were actually substantiated nearly doubled. That tells me this isn’t just a story about more people making reports.” Morano called for an immediate council hearing to seek clarity on the factors driving the increase. “Parents deserve that answer quickly,” he added.
The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), which handles investigations into child abuse and neglect, said it is examining potential reasons behind the higher substantiation rate. ACS officials noted they are collaborating with child protection leadership to better understand the trends affecting childcare programs. Each year, child protective specialists at ACS respond to roughly 50,000 allegations statewide, with an extensive network of about 11,000 childcare providers overseeing 475,000 children in facilities regularly inspected by the city's Health Department.
The elevated abuse figures come amid troubling publicized incidents, including the February arrest of a Brooklyn daycare teacher accused of molesting four young girls over nearly two years. Devonte Brown, 30, was charged with inappropriate conduct involving children at The Learning Factory in Bushwick. In another incident, city officials shut down the Eva Crèche Day Care in Prospect Lefferts Gardens after parents reported videos showing caretakers physically mistreating children, including forcibly grabbing and tossing a child.
A spokesperson for the Health Department emphasized ongoing efforts to maintain safe environments for children. “We conduct rigorous background checks on staff, respond to all health and safety complaints, and refer cases of alleged child abuse or neglect to the proper authorities,” the statement said.
As the city continues to expand early childhood care options under Mayor Mamdan’s administration, the recent data underscore the urgent need for vigilance and transparency to protect vulnerable children in licensed daycare settings.