Bronx mother Geraldine Jaramillo had sought assistance from the city’s Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) while fleeing domestic violence, only to later discover that the program had caused additional trauma to her family. The agency offers in-home childcare support in an effort to help struggling families.
The grandmother of Jaramillo’s children, who lives in Pennsylvania, discovered an abuse last month after watching the nanny cam. La’keysha Jackson, 24, who started working for Jaramillo a year ago via a contractor paid for by the ACS, was caught beating and securing the arms of Jaramillo’s two, four, and six-year-old sons while they screamed and attempted to defend themselves.
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A notice of claim submitted by the family’s lawyer claims that Jackson hit two of the kids with a belt almost 60 times.
Jackson is heard in the video obtained by the Post asking, “Guess what’s about to happen?” to which one of the boys responds, “Belt?” Her response was, “You’re right — I warned y’all,” and then she gave the command, “Drop ‘em.”
To further frighten the kids, Jackson allegedly dressed as Santa Claus and donned a gruesome Halloween mask from the horror film “Terrifier II” in addition to the physical violence. Later, the costumes were discovered in the family’s house.
Before the reveal, Jackson was regarded as a close relative. She had spent time with the children and the family during holidays and occasionally spent the night. According to Jaramillo, the babysitter “was beating the kids every other day,” and also claimed the babysitter verbally and emotionally abused the children.
The children’s mother said that it was only because of the timing of her new job that the abuse was discovered. She had requested her mother to check the webcam to make sure the babysitter was putting the kids to bed, which revealed the terrifying truth.
“We called the police and filed the report and we went to the hospital,” Jaramillo told the Post, recalling the events. Despite the family’s efforts and assurances from law enforcement, Jackson has not been arrested nearly four weeks later.
The family claimed that after watching the video, a “seasoned detective” started crying, giving them hope that justice will be served quickly.
Rudy Enamorado, the children’s grandfather, who drove two hours from Pennsylvania after seeing the video, said, “The worst thing we did was let our guard down.”
To add to the family’s dissatisfaction, Jaramillo claimed ACS began investigating her after the incident instead of Jackson, alleging a lack of medical records. She explained, “I’m under investigation too,” adding that ACS workers have been doing home visits every other week since. “They say it’s protocol.”
Jackson no longer works for Selfhelp, the organization that ACS contracted with, according to an ACS representative. “We are taking these despicable actions very seriously, and we have commenced a review of the contracted provider’s procedures,” the representative said.
Selfhelp confirmed that Jackson had been fired and that the company is working with the NYPD. The company also stated that all of its staff undergo drug tests and background checks. Nevertheless, the family wonders how someone who could commit such harm was ever allowed.
When questioned by The Post, Jackson’s brother defended her actions, saying, “Abuse my ass. That happens in black families all the time.”
“It’s a learning experience for us all,” Jackson wrote in her farewell text to Jaramillo. “I am their number one supporter when it comes to their safety and well-being,” she added, a statement Jaramillo labeled “infuriating.”
The long-term effects of the abuse on the kids, however, are already noticeable. The boys now fear going to the bathroom, leaving their bedroom, or taking off their clothes, their family said. “They say the bathroom is scary,” Jaramillo explained. The trauma has also resulted in violent conduct. “They’re so traumatized,” she added. “I don’t know where they’re learning these things, I don’t know if they’re repeating stuff that was happening to them.”
“They were never like this before … They have rage,” their grandfather added.
Considering that this was not the family’s first bad experience with the homemaking program, Jaramillo now refuses to utilize it once more. According to Jaramillo, their first babysitter was arrested for smoking and drinking while watching the kids at a playground.
The family’s lawyer, Daniel Szalkiewicz, stressed the value of being watchful when it comes to daycare. “No matter who recommended your childcare provider— a friend, family, or even if it’s the agency that holds itself as the paragon of good childcare—don’t let your guard down,” he said. “Even if there are cameras, even if they’re supposed to be trained, even if you trust them implicitly. It can happen to anyone.”
“No one ever suspected Jackson,” said Jaramillo, a caseworker for senior citizens. “Everyone, including at the kids’ school, loved her.”
The family is still waiting for justice and healing.
Public records show that Selfhelp has a $1.23 million contract with ACS. The case shines light on broader flaws at ACS, which has come under fire after allegations that at least seven infants died under its supervision since early last year.
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