Daycare Workers Face Felony Abuse Charges After Video Shows Adult in ‘Scream’-Inspired Mask Scaring Children

Daycare workers in Mississippi are facing felony child abuse charges in connection with the use of a Halloween mask to scare children.

Per a report from regional outlet WTVA, the incidents in questions took place earlier this month, as well as in September, with since-made-public footage showing one daycare worker in an apparently Scream-inspired mask chasing young children and getting within inches of their faces.

“Whether they had a mask on or a mask off, their behavior was unacceptable,” one parent said in a subsequent interview with ABC News this week. “My blood pressure was raised. It broke my heart for my child. I was angry.”

The incidents in question, which have been at the center of growing nationwide news coverage in recent days, took place at  Lil’ Blessings Child Care and Learning Center in Hamilton. Sheila Sanders, the owner, was confirmed in an Associated Press report earlier this month to have fired the employees involved.

On Thursday, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said that five people had been arrested in connection with the viral footage. Four individuals—identified as Sierra McCandless, Oci-Anna Kilburn, Jennifer Newman, and Shyenne Mills—are facing three counts each of felony child abuse. The fifth individual, Traci Hutson, is facing counts of failure to report abuse by a mandatory reporter and simple assault.

“The felony charges will be presented to the next grand jury and it will be decided there if there is enough evidence to indict these individuals on these charges,” a Sheriff’s Office rep said Thursday, adding that the case “is still open.”

Complex has reached out to the Mississippi State Department of Health, which was also involved in the ensuing investigation, for additional comment. This story may be updated.