LIVERMORE, Calif. — A 20-year-old California babysitter has been charged with felony child abuse, authorities said Thursday.
Moriah Pulani Gonzales of Livermore, Calif., allegedly abused a 13-month-old boy in her care, Sgt. Steve Goard told KNTV. The child lived.
A hidden nanny camera allegedly caught her trying to smother the child who apparently wouldn’t stop crying, the station says court documents show.
Gonzales was not available for comment Thursday.
Jeff Chorney, a spokesman for the Alameda County Public Defender, said his office is not representing her.
It was not immediately known if she has hired a private attorney.
Gonzales advertised her services on the babysitting website Care.com.
On its website, which calls itself as the “largest online destination for care,” the company says it is not responsible for the “conduct of any care provider or care seeker.”
“Care.com provides information and tools to help care seekers and care providers connect and make informed decisions,” it said.
The website issued a statement about the incident.
“We are deeply troubled by this incident and our thoughts are with the family,” the statement read. “The safety of our community is of paramount importance to us and we have proactively contacted local law enforcement to provide whatever assistance we can in this matter.”
Police started their investigation in early February after receiving a report of the alleged abuse.
The probe is ongoing.
