A lawsuit filed against New York State alleges that staff members at the Child Care Center at SUNY Cortland abused young children, failed to report the alleged misconduct, and allowed it to continue for more than a year.
According to court documents, parents Eric Edlund and Jessica Carrick-Hagenbarth are seeking $10 million in damages on behalf of their 2-year-old child, claiming the child suffered injuries while attending the daycare center between March 2025 and April 2026.
The claim alleges employees at the SUNY Cortland Child Care Center committed acts of child abuse and maltreatment and failed to take appropriate action despite being aware of the alleged behavior.
Four daycare workers named in the lawsuit were arrested earlier this year following an investigation by the SUNY Cortland University Police Department. Authorities charged Aimee Wyatt, 50, of Truxton, with four counts of endangering the welfare of a child and one count of fifth-degree criminal solicitation. Karen Diescher, 50, of Cortland, faces three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, while Kelsi Carlisle, 29, and Heather Hurteau, 57, both of Cortland, were each charged with two counts of the same offense.
Spectrum News reports that according to the lawsuit, Wyatt repeatedly grabbed and pulled several children by their wrists and arms, including the plaintiffs’ child, resulting in injuries that allegedly required emergency room treatment for a partially dislocated elbow.
The suit further alleges Wyatt repeatedly locked a 3-year-old child in a bathroom for extended periods and directed children to kick and stomp on another child. Additional allegations claim Carlisle physically restrained a child on the floor and forcefully moved another child across a mat.
The lawsuit contends that daycare staff and administrators were aware of Wyatt’s alleged conduct dating back to March 2025 but allowed her to remain employed until May 2026.
The Child Care Center, a private not-for-profit organization that operates on the SUNY Cortland campus, is also facing scrutiny from state regulators. According to the lawsuit, the facility’s childcare license is currently pending revocation following multiple violations identified by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.
The criminal cases against the four workers remain pending in court.
