2-year old assaulted at daycare

North Branford, Conn. (WTNH) - A North Branford daycare owner is facing charges after allegedly assaulting a 2-year old child who was in her care.

Laura Pearson, 46, was arrested Thursday night and charged with assault and risk of injury to a minor.

Police say the incident was reported when a mom came to Pearson's 'Home Away From Home Daycare' to pick up her 23-month old daughter. When the mother arrived, Pearson showed her two bruises her baby had; one on her left cheek and one on her right. Police say Pearson told the mother that she didn't know how they got there.

After the incident, a doctor at Yale-New Haven Hospital saw the child after she was admitted for vomiting on the same day. Police say, the child's doctor visit was unrelated to the assault, but the doctor looked at the bruises and determined they were caused by an adult who most likely squeezed the girl's cheeks.

Police say Pearson cares for about six children at her daycare center, ages ranging from infants to 3-year olds. Pearson told police she had nothing to do with the bruising on the child's face and continued to operate her business.

Police say the victim's 10-year old sister witnessed Pearson grab the child's face during one of her often visits to the daycare on her way to school.

The state Department of Children and Families are involved in this case along with the Department of Public Health due to the fact that Pearson is a daycare owner.

The daycare facility is located in Pearson's home on Walnut Lane and has been in operation for more than 16 years.