A teacher at a Reston daycare was arrested Friday, Aug. 7, after police say she pulled a 3-year-old boy's hair, pushed his head into a basket and pushed him to the ground.
Jaspal Bharaj, 61, of Reston, was charged with misdemeanor assault and battery while employed at Bright Horizons Daycare at 11400 Commerce Park Drive, according to the Fairfax County Police Department. She was released on a summons.
Detectives from FCPD's Child Abuse Squad responded to the facility after receiving a report of an assault. The squad is part of the department's Major Crimes Bureau.
The charge is an accusation. Bharaj is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. No mugshot is available.
Police seek additional information
FCPD said detectives want to speak with anyone who has information about this case or others that may be related. The department did not specify whether investigators have leads on additional incidents involving Bharaj.
Victim specialists from FCPD's Victim Services Division have been assigned to the child to provide resources and assistance.
The facility, formally called Bright Horizons at Commerce Metro Center, sits adjacent to the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station and serves children ages 1 month through 11 years, according to the center's website. Bright Horizons has not publicly commented on whether Bharaj remains employed or what steps the center has taken in response.
How to report information
Anyone with information can call the FCPD Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 4. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Fairfax County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), online at fairfaxcrimesolvers.org, or through the P3 Tips app. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for a cash reward.
