Two Illinois daycare employees were arrested this week on multiple battery charges stemming from incidents that occurred last November involving children in their care.
The Des Plaines Police Department said that Jessica Murillo, 36, and Izabella Thompson, 23, were charged on Monday with the offenses following an investigation that also involved the state Department of Children and Family Services and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Police said the directors of A Mother’s Touch Daycare were notified by a parent on November 20, 2025, about an incident in which one of their employees allegedly sprayed a child in the face with water.
“The directors immediately launched an internal investigation, reviewed surveillance footage, contacted DCFS, and suspended both Murillo and Thompson,” police said.
The directors continued their investigation and found more videos showing the two women abusing children between November 3 and November 19. On November 24, the directors and one of the parents filed a formal complaint with the police department.
Police investigators determined that seven boys, ages 4 and 5, were battered by either Murillo or Thompson in that time period.
Murillo was charged with three felony counts of aggravated battery and 12 misdemeanor counts of battery.
“The felony charges involve allegations of Murillo striking a child in the face with a notebook, dragging a four-year-old male across the floor by his foot (causing his head to strike the ground), and striking another child in the face multiple times with an open hand,” police said.
Thompson was charged with four misdemeanor counts of batteries.
Police stressed that none of the children required medical attention or suffered severe physical injuries and that daycare and its directors were “fully cooperative” as investigators probed the incidents.
“Our hearts go out to the children and families affected by this troubling case,” said Des Plaines Police Chief David Anderson. “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.”
Murillo appeared in court on Wednesday, when a judge denied prosecutors motion to hold her without bond, the Daily Herald reported.
“It’s obviously extremely disturbing to hear these allegations. This is a parent’s worst nightmare,” Cook County Judge Michele Gemskie said.
Gemskie released Murillo with multiple conditions, including no contact with her accusers, their parents, or guardians; staying away from the daycare center, and no contact with anyone under 18 except family members with supervision by another adult.
Thompson is due in court on March 30. Both women were subsequently fired from their jobs.
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[Featured image: Izabella Thompson and Jessica Murillo/Des Plaines Police Department]
