Two Kentucky Head Start employees arrested in child abuse investigation

SPRINGFIELD, Ky. (WNKY) – Two employees of a Central Kentucky Head Start program have been arrested following an investigation into allegations of child abuse involving two students, Kentucky State Police said Wednesday.

According to KSP, Diana Sanders, 68, of Lebanon, a substitute teacher’s aide, was indicted on two counts of first-degree criminal abuse involving a child age 12 or under. Janey Chesser, 43, of Springfield, a school supervisor, was indicted on two counts of first-degree criminal abuse involving a child age 12 or under and one count of first-degree failure to report child abuse or neglect.

Kentucky State Police said its Post 15 received a request for assistance from the Department of Community Based Services in June to investigate a possible child abuse incident at the Springfield branch of Central Kentucky Head Start.

Detective James Ford investigated the allegations and uncovered two separate incidents involving two juvenile students and Sanders, police said. Investigators also determined Chesser was aware of the incidents and failed to report them, according to KSP.

The Washington County Grand Jury returned the indictments Aug. 19.

Senior Trooper Trevor Sagrecy served the indictments Tuesday night, and both women were arrested and lodged in the Marion County Detention Center. They are each being held on a $25,000 bond.

The investigation remains ongoing and is being led by Ford, KSP said.