Charges against day care worker accused of choking child dropped

HOUSTON – The charges against a west Houston day care worker who was accused of choking a 9-year-old girl last year have been dropped.

Jasfalinia Pugh, 47, was charged with injury to a child under 15 after the June 10, 2016, incident at the Kindercare Learning Center near Walnut Bend Lane and Westheimer Road.

According to court documents, Pugh had just told children about a bathroom break. The children ran out of the classroom and Pugh became upset. She stood in the doorway and blocked two girls from leaving. One of the girls crawled through Pugh’s legs to exit the room. When the second girl attempted to do the same, Pugh grabbed her by the neck and squeezed, according to police.

Police said they interviewed the first girl, who reenacted what happened.

Court records showed that the charges against Pugh were dismissed Thursday.