Daycare Worker Sentenced for Abusing Toddlers Caught on CCTV

A childcare worker in Far North Queensland, Australia, has been sentenced to four years in prison for abusing three toddlers under her care. Edwina Ling committed more than 80 acts of violence against the children over a three-day period in late August and early September 2024 at the Injinoo Childcare Centre. The abuse was captured on CCTV footage.

The youngest victim, a 13-month-old boy, endured 55 of the assaults. His parents, who remain unidentified, released the footage to advocate for reform in childcare safety. The videos show Ling kicking, slapping, shaking, and physically assaulting the children. In one instance, she is seen grabbing the infant by the head and neck, violently pushing him into an activity center, and pressing his face into a pillow.

Ling also allegedly refused to feed the infant for an entire day, despite him crying. When the child's mother noticed marks on her son, Ling attributed them to another child. Concerns about Ling's behavior were initially raised by Brancis Tamwoy-Mookaa, who was acting as director at the center. After hearing complaints from other educators and observing red marks on a child's skin, Tamwoy-Mookaa left a note urging management to review the CCTV footage before she departed.

Ling was dismissed from the center nearly a week after Tamwoy-Mookaa's warning. She was sentenced in June 2026 after pleading guilty to 80 counts of common assault and two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm. District Court Judge Dean Morzone KC described her actions as "monstrous, cruel and sadistic" and a severe breach of trust. Ling will be eligible for parole after serving 12 months of her sentence.

Ling began working for NPA Family and Community Services, which operated the Injinoo center, in 2022. She transitioned from cleaner to cook before being moved to the baby room as an educator in July 2024, despite not having completed basic childcare qualifications. NPA chair Ugari Nona stated the organization notified parents, police, and regulators promptly after learning of the abuse.

Queensland Police confirmed that the report leading to their investigation was filed by a member of the public on September 13, after Ling had already left the center. The victim's family believes accountability should also extend to the organizational and regulatory bodies that allowed the abuse to occur, arguing that the issue is systemic and affects numerous childcare centers.