The popularity of the Scream film franchise is due in part to its use of the iconic Ghostface mask. The mask has become a staple of every store around Halloween time, and as such, it’s easy to see it used in a variety of ways. Unfortunately, it appears that several daycare staff members decided to use the Scream mask as a means to scare toddlers.
As noted via iHeart, a total of five staff members were charged as a result. Four of the staff members were named Sierra McCandless, Oci-Anna Kilburn, Jennifer Newman, and Shyenne Shelton. Each one of them was charged with three counts of felony child abuse. In addition, the fifth staff member named Traci Hutson, “was charged with misdemeanor counts of failure to report abuse and simple assault against a minor.”
Four members of the group were fired by Sheila Sanders, the owner of the daycare known specifically as Lil’ Blessings Child Care. It wasn’t until she saw a viral video of the group scaring the toddlers go viral that she became aware of the incident. The videos of the event were recorded in late September and early October.
The videos were described as showing “the workers running around the classroom wearing the Ghostface mask, scaring the kids, and getting in the face of those who were misbehaving.” It was no doubt a traumatizing sight, as “children could be seen crying and screaming in fear as their teachers yelled at them.” In fact, “one of the teachers even chased a terrified child around the classroom until another teacher picked them up.”
It was further stated that “the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office met with parents earlier in the week to discuss the incident.” As of this writing, it’s been reported that at least one child’s parents agreed to charge the former employees for their use of the Scream mask at the daycare.