IRVINE, CALIFORNIA — A 29-year-old nanny is facing 10 felony child abuse charges after nanny camera footage allegedly showed her punching and shaking a two-month-old baby in her care. Iara Dossantos Bomfim is also accused of fleeing to her native Brazil after the baby’s mother found out what happened, according to the Los Angeles Times. She was arrested after returning to the United States. Prosecutors say she had been trying to set up a new profile on a childcare website to find another nanny job.
Mother Grew Suspicious After Hearing Her Son Cry
The mother first became worried when she heard her son crying in the nursery. When she went to check, Bomfim reportedly told her everything was fine. The mother wasn’t convinced and decided to review the nanny camera recordings.
The footage allegedly showed Bomfim sitting on a yoga ball while bouncing the baby so hard that his unsupported head and neck moved back and forth. In another clip, she appeared to strike the back of his head with a closed fist.
Weeks of Footage Showed Repeated Abuse
Police later reviewed 30 days of footage from the family’s home. Investigators say the recordings showed repeated abuse over nearly three weeks. The incidents allegedly began in late June, when the baby was just two months and 10 days old.
There were other troubling moments beyond the punching and shaking. One recording reportedly showed the baby falling headfirst off a bed while Bomfim was watching him. In another, she allegedly threw him onto the bed.
Nanny Left the Country a Day After Being Confronted
The mother found the recordings and confronted Bomfim on July 11. The next day, the nanny allegedly left the United States for Brazil. Investigators kept tracking her activities while she was abroad.
Her return to the country led to her arrest. Prosecutors say she tried to create another profile on Care.com, apparently planning to work in child care again. That attempt was flagged, and investigators were alerted.
Childcare Site Banned Her and Alerted Police
A Care.com spokesperson said the company permanently removed Bomfim from its platform after learning about the allegations. The site also blocked her later attempts to create new profiles and notified law enforcement, which helped investigators find her.
The company said it is cooperating with the district attorney’s office and the Irvine Police Department as the case moves forward. Its quick action may have kept her from getting near another family’s child.
Held on $500,000 Bail
Bomfim was arrested by the Irvine Police Department and charged with 10 felony counts of child abuse. She pleaded not guilty and remains in custody at the Orange County jail, with bail set at $500,000. If convicted on all counts, she could face up to 18 years in state prison.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer called the case a “family’s nightmare.” He urged parents to be careful when choosing caregivers for their children. He also encouraged anyone who sees suspicious behavior to contact local police.
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