Daycare center staff charged with running 'fight club'

CRANFORD — Two former employees of a Cranford daycare center are accused of instigating and encouraging fights among a group of children there last month, even going so far as to call what the children were doing on a playground as "Fight Club."

Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park said that Erica Kenny, 22, of Cranford, and Chanese White, 28, of Roselle, are charged with fourth-degree child abuse, and Kenny additionally is charged with third-degree endangering the welfare of a child. White and Kenny were charged via summons last Friday and Monday, respectively, and are expected to appear in court for first appearances this Friday.

An investigation by the Prosecutor’s Office’s Special Victims Unit recently revealed that the defendants instigated fights among children ages 4 to 6 at the Lightbridge Academy on South Avenue East in Cranford on at least one day in mid-August, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Michael Sheets, who is prosecuting the case.

Kenny is accused of recording video of the fights with her cellphone and sharing the video clips with several friends on social media via the Snapchat app, Sheets said. In the video clips, Kenny can be heard referencing the activity as “Fight Club,” quoting from the book and movie of the same name in encouraging the children to engage each other physically.

Park said that approximately 12 boys and girls at the daycare center can be seen in the video clips shoving each other to the ground and attempting to strike each other. The children involved in the fights are not believed to have suffered any serious injuries.

Lighbridge Academy, which operates 19 daycare centers in New Jersey, provided the following statement Tuesday:

"Today the Union County Prosecutor’s Office informed us that charges have been filed against two former staff members related to their encouragement of children to push and shove each other on the playground on August 13th. As parents and caregivers, we are shocked and saddened by this isolated incident and we have assisted the prosecutor’s office from the start of its investigation into this matter.

"While no children were physically harmed during this incident, we have a zero tolerance policy for anyone who acts in conflict with the core value of Lightbridge Academy — the safety and well-being of children. We terminated the employment of these staff members and have maintained open communication with our parents throughout this process.

"We sincerely thank our parents and dedicated staff for their support and patience. The actions of these two individuals do not reflect the culture of Lightbridge Academy and what we have stood for more than 18 years. While we will continue to fully support and assist the prosecutor’s office, we remain focused on the education and well-being of all children in our care."

In addition to Cranford, the Iselin-based Lightbridge Academy has daycare centers in Flemington, Iselin, two locations in North Brunswick, Piscataway, Plainsboro, Westfield and Woodbridge proper.

Established in 1997 under the name Rainbow Academy, Lightbridge provides early education and child care to ages 6 weeks through kindergarten, as well as special programming for children up to 10 years old during school holidays, breaks and summer camp.

Franchised in 2011, Lightbridge has 60 child-care franchises sold or under development throughout New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Convictions on third-degree criminal charges can result in sentences of three to five years in state prison. Fourth-degree crimes are punishable by up to 18 months in prison.

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to contact Prosecutor’s Office Detective Joanne Son at 908-527-4696.

Staff Writer Everett Merrill: 908-243-6606; emerrill@mycentraljersey.com