1SPRING HILL, FL – A Hernando County daycare employee has been arrested after investigators say surveillance video captured her forcefully handling and taunting an 11-year-old child with disabilities inside a local care facility.

Deputies were called to Tender Care PPEC, a prescribed pediatric extended care center, around 3 p.m. Thursday following reports of possible child abuse by a recently terminated employee.

According to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, administrators contacted law enforcement after reviewing video showing the employee, identified as 36-year-old Kaitlyn Pitzer, mistreating a child in her care.

The footage, investigators said, showed Pitzer using excessive force and acting in a manner that caused the child visible distress.

Incident captured on surveillance

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