Topline: Police say seven boys, ages 4 and 5, were battered over a two-week period at a Des Plaines daycare, with one worker accused of dragging a 4-year-old across the floor by his foot.
Published: February 26, 2026 1:01 pm ET
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Jessica Murillo, left, and Izabella Thompson (via Des Plaines Police Department)
DES PLAINES, IL — Two daycare employees have been charged after police say surveillance video captured them battering multiple young children inside a suburban facility over a period of more than two weeks last fall.
Jessica Murillo, 36, of Morton Grove, and Izabella Thompson, 23, of Chicago, are accused of battering at least seven boys between Nov. 3 and Nov. 19 at A Mother’s Touch Daycare, also known as A Mother’s Touch Learning Academy, in Des Plaines, according to the Des Plaines Police Department.
The allegations first surfaced on Nov. 20, when a parent notified daycare directors that a child had been sprayed in the face with water inside a classroom, police said. According to authorities, the daycare “immediately launched an internal investigation, reviewed surveillance footage, contacted DCFS” and suspended both workers.
Police said the daycare also notified the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
As directors reviewed video footage, they allegedly uncovered additional incidents involving multiple children. According to police, the video evidence showed Murillo and Thompson “battering multiple children” between Nov. 3 and Nov. 19.
On Nov. 24, daycare directors and at least one child’s parent went to the police department to file a formal report. After further investigation, authorities determined that seven boys, all between the ages of 4 and 5, were battered by either Murillo or Thompson during that time frame.
“While the nature of the contact varied, no children required medical attention or suffered severe physical injuries,” the Des Plaines Police Department said.
Murillo was charged Feb. 23 with three felony counts of aggravated battery and 12 misdemeanor counts of battery. Police allege she struck one child in the face with a notebook, dragged a 4-year-old boy across the floor by his foot — causing his head to hit the ground — and struck another child in the face multiple times with an open hand.
Thompson was also charged Feb. 23 with four misdemeanor counts of battery over allegations she “made physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature,” according to police.
“Our hearts go out to the children and families affected by this troubling case,” Des Plaines Police Chief David Anderson said in a statement. “This was a painful breach of trust by individuals entrusted with the care of young children. I want to thank the directors and staff of A Mother’s Touch Daycare for acting quickly, alerting authorities, and fully cooperating with our investigators.”
Police noted the daycare was “fully cooperative” and “assisted investigators by providing the information needed to obtain formal charges.”
In a statement, the daycare said both employees “are no longer employed by our school.”
“The safety and wellbeing of the children in our care is always our top priority,” the daycare said. “We take this matter very seriously. As soon as we became aware of conduct that did not align with our standards, we immediately removed the staff members involved and notified the appropriate authorities, including the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. We are fully cooperating with the ongoing review and will continue doing so until the investigation is complete.”
Murillo was released pretrial and is scheduled to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Second District Municipal Courthouse in Skokie. Thompson is scheduled to appear at 9 a.m. March 20 at the same courthouse, though authorities have also indicated she is due back in court March 30.
Police said none of the children were seriously injured or required medical attention.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Police say seven boys, ages 4 and 5, were battered over a two-week period at a Des Plaines daycare, with one worker accused of dragging a 4-year-old across the floor by his foot.
By Jacob Charles
Published: February 26, 2026 1:01 pm ET
Jessica Murillo, left, and Izabella Thompson (via Des Plaines Police Department)
DES PLAINES, IL — Two daycare employees have been charged after police say surveillance video captured them battering multiple young children inside a suburban facility over a period of more than two weeks last fall.
Jessica Murillo, 36, of Morton Grove, and Izabella Thompson, 23, of Chicago, are accused of battering at least seven boys between Nov. 3 and Nov. 19 at A Mother’s Touch Daycare, also known as A Mother’s Touch Learning Academy, in Des Plaines, according to the Des Plaines Police Department.
The allegations first surfaced on Nov. 20, when a parent notified daycare directors that a child had been sprayed in the face with water inside a classroom, police said. According to authorities, the daycare “immediately launched an internal investigation, reviewed surveillance footage, contacted DCFS” and suspended both workers.
Police said the daycare also notified the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
As directors reviewed video footage, they allegedly uncovered additional incidents involving multiple children. According to police, the video evidence showed Murillo and Thompson “battering multiple children” between Nov. 3 and Nov. 19.
On Nov. 24, daycare directors and at least one child’s parent went to the police department to file a formal report. After further investigation, authorities determined that seven boys, all between the ages of 4 and 5, were battered by either Murillo or Thompson during that time frame.
“While the nature of the contact varied, no children required medical attention or suffered severe physical injuries,” the Des Plaines Police Department said.
Murillo was charged Feb. 23 with three felony counts of aggravated battery and 12 misdemeanor counts of battery. Police allege she struck one child in the face with a notebook, dragged a 4-year-old boy across the floor by his foot — causing his head to hit the ground — and struck another child in the face multiple times with an open hand.
Thompson was also charged Feb. 23 with four misdemeanor counts of battery over allegations she “made physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature,” according to police.
“Our hearts go out to the children and families affected by this troubling case,” Des Plaines Police Chief David Anderson said in a statement. “This was a painful breach of trust by individuals entrusted with the care of young children. I want to thank the directors and staff of A Mother’s Touch Daycare for acting quickly, alerting authorities, and fully cooperating with our investigators.”
Police noted the daycare was “fully cooperative” and “assisted investigators by providing the information needed to obtain formal charges.”
In a statement, the daycare said both employees “are no longer employed by our school.”
“The safety and wellbeing of the children in our care is always our top priority,” the daycare said. “We take this matter very seriously. As soon as we became aware of conduct that did not align with our standards, we immediately removed the staff members involved and notified the appropriate authorities, including the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. We are fully cooperating with the ongoing review and will continue doing so until the investigation is complete.”
Murillo was released pretrial and is scheduled to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Second District Municipal Courthouse in Skokie. Thompson is scheduled to appear at 9 a.m. March 20 at the same courthouse, though authorities have also indicated she is due back in court March 30.
Police said none of the children were seriously injured or required medical attention.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
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Latest Articles
Two Daycare Employees Accused of Striking, Dragging Children
Police say seven boys, ages 4 and 5, were battered over a two-week period at a Des Plaines daycare, with one worker accused of dragging a 4-year-old across the floor by his foot.
By Jacob Charles
Published: February 26, 2026 1:01 pm ET
Jessica Murillo, left, and Izabella Thompson (via Des Plaines Police Department)
DES PLAINES, IL — Two daycare employees have been charged after police say surveillance video captured them battering multiple young children inside a suburban facility over a period of more than two weeks last fall.
Jessica Murillo, 36, of Morton Grove, and Izabella Thompson, 23, of Chicago, are accused of battering at least seven boys between Nov. 3 and Nov. 19 at A Mother’s Touch Daycare, also known as A Mother’s Touch Learning Academy, in Des Plaines, according to the Des Plaines Police Department.
The allegations first surfaced on Nov. 20, when a parent notified daycare directors that a child had been sprayed in the face with water inside a classroom, police said. According to authorities, the daycare “immediately launched an internal investigation, reviewed surveillance footage, contacted DCFS” and suspended both workers.
Police said the daycare also notified the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
As directors reviewed video footage, they allegedly uncovered additional incidents involving multiple children. According to police, the video evidence showed Murillo and Thompson “battering multiple children” between Nov. 3 and Nov. 19.
On Nov. 24, daycare directors and at least one child’s parent went to the police department to file a formal report. After further investigation, authorities determined that seven boys, all between the ages of 4 and 5, were battered by either Murillo or Thompson during that time frame.
“While the nature of the contact varied, no children required medical attention or suffered severe physical injuries,” the Des Plaines Police Department said.
Murillo was charged Feb. 23 with three felony counts of aggravated battery and 12 misdemeanor counts of battery. Police allege she struck one child in the face with a notebook, dragged a 4-year-old boy across the floor by his foot — causing his head to hit the ground — and struck another child in the face multiple times with an open hand.
Thompson was also charged Feb. 23 with four misdemeanor counts of battery over allegations she “made physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature,” according to police.
“Our hearts go out to the children and families affected by this troubling case,” Des Plaines Police Chief David Anderson said in a statement. “This was a painful breach of trust by individuals entrusted with the care of young children. I want to thank the directors and staff of A Mother’s Touch Daycare for acting quickly, alerting authorities, and fully cooperating with our investigators.”
Police noted the daycare was “fully cooperative” and “assisted investigators by providing the information needed to obtain formal charges.”
In a statement, the daycare said both employees “are no longer employed by our school.”
“The safety and wellbeing of the children in our care is always our top priority,” the daycare said. “We take this matter very seriously. As soon as we became aware of conduct that did not align with our standards, we immediately removed the staff members involved and notified the appropriate authorities, including the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. We are fully cooperating with the ongoing review and will continue doing so until the investigation is complete.”
Murillo was released pretrial and is scheduled to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Second District Municipal Courthouse in Skokie. Thompson is scheduled to appear at 9 a.m. March 20 at the same courthouse, though authorities have also indicated she is due back in court March 30.
Police said none of the children were seriously injured or required medical attention.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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