Prosecutors: 2 Former NJ Day Care Workers Ran ‘Fight Club’ For Kids Aged 4-6

[link to newyork.cbslocal.com]

Two New Jersey women faced charges Monday for allegedly staging a “fight club” among boys and girls at a day care center, Union County prosecutors said.
As CBS2’s Christine Sloan reported, investigators said the former day care workers – Erica Kenny, 22, of Cranford, and Chanese White, 28, of Roselle – referenced the movie “Fight Club” as they encouraged preschoolers and kindergartners to fight each other on the playground at Lightbridge Academy in Cranford last month.

Prosecutors: 2 Former NJ Day Care Workers Ran 'Fight Club' For Kids Aged 4-6
handcuffs 2 Prosecutors: 2 Former NJ Day Care Workers Ran Fight Club For Kids Aged 4 6
880 audiographic Prosecutors: 2 Former NJ Day Care Workers Ran Fight Club For Kids Aged 4 6Jim Smith reports
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“About a dozen children — boys and girls between the ages 4 and 6 — just fighting; throwing each other to the ground; hitting each other,” said Union County Prosecutor Grace Park.
Kenny allegedly shot video of the fights and sent them to a group of people the app Snapchat, prosecutors said.
“Most parents would be astonished by the behavior,” Acting Union County Prosecutor Grace Park told WCBS 880’s Jim Smith.
The videos show about a dozen boys and girls shoving each other to the ground and trying to hit each other, according to prosecutors. The charges stem from Aug. 13, but investigators are looking into whether the fights were ongoing.
The Snapchat videos only last 10 seconds and then disappear, but investigators were able to find the video after someone recorded it.
“We don’t believe there were any serious injuries at this point, but we are still investigating the case,” Park said.
The prosecutors said the former workers staged the fights for pure pleasure. Neighbors of defendant White were stunned.
“It’s unbelievable – God, it’s unbelievable,” said the Rev. James Smith.
“She was very nice, but you don’t really know anybody, really,” said neighbor Betty Farinelli.
The two women have been fired.
“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,” Lightbridge Academy said in a statement. “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.”