A deeply disturbing case of child abuse has come to light in New York, where a 24-year-old woman, identified as L. Jackson, who had been assigned to care for three young children by the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), is now being actively sought by authorities.
Jackson is accused of violently beating the children in her care, including a 2-year-old, 4-year-old, and 6-year-old, while wearing a Santa Claus costume and Halloween mask to terrorize them.
The Incident Unfolds
Jackson, who had worked for over a year as a nanny for a single mother, is accused of repeatedly striking the children with a belt inside the family’s apartment while their mother, G. Jaramillo, was at work.
The abuse was uncovered when the children’s grandmother reviewed footage from a bedroom surveillance camera that captured the horrifying incident.
The video, dated May 6, 2025, shows Jackson whipping the children nearly 60 times while berating them for not cleaning their room. Jackson is seen pulling a thick brown belt from a bag and telling the children, “Guess what’s about to happen.”
One of the children responds, “Belt?” to which Jackson replies, “You’re right — I warned y’all,” before ordering them to “drop ’em.” The footage shows the children, in only their underwear, screaming and trying to shield themselves as Jackson strikes them. The children’s arms are restrained, and they are unable to protect themselves.
Additional Allegations and Consequences
According to Jaramillo, the children’s mother, additional videos have surfaced showing Jackson throwing the baby, hitting the children with clothes hangers, and using costumes to terrorize them further.
This shocking behavior came as a betrayal to Jaramillo, who had trusted Jackson as a “family member” and even allowed her to stay in their home on holidays to avoid a long commute.
Jaramillo, a domestic violence survivor, had initially sought help from ACS when she was pregnant with her third child. Jackson was assigned through Selfhelp, a provider contracted by ACS. Over time, Jackson became a close part of the family.
Jaramillo described feeling deeply betrayed when the abuse came to light. “I feel so betrayed,” she said. “She was around us every day, and I thought my kids were safe.”
Aftermath and Child Trauma
Following the abuse, the children have been severely traumatized. Jaramillo stated that her children now refuse to undress, avoid using the bathroom, and are afraid to leave their bedroom.
They have become fearful of routine activities and have displayed signs of psychological distress. “They’re so traumatized,” Jaramillo said, expressing concern about their emotional well-being.
Legal Actions and ACS Response
Despite a report being filed with both ACS and the police, Jackson has not yet been arrested. On Monday morning, police attempted to apprehend Jackson on charges of assault and child endangerment, but they were unsuccessful. Authorities are continuing to actively pursue Jackson and have urged anyone with information on her whereabouts to contact the police.
The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) confirmed that Jackson has been terminated from her position. They also stated that they are reviewing Selfhelp’s procedures. The agency noted that they take these actions seriously and are working closely with law enforcement.
Selfhelp, which holds a $1.23 million contract with ACS, stated that they perform background checks and drug tests on all employees and are now fully cooperating with the authorities.
Community Backlash
In a troubling moment of public response, Jackson’s brother spoke to reporters outside their home, making a controversial remark: “Abuse my ass. That happens in black families all the time.”
This statement has sparked widespread outrage, with many child advocacy groups condemning the normalization of child abuse. Such comments were quickly met with criticism from advocates who argue that child abuse should never be justified, regardless of cultural context.
Jaramillo’s Call for Justice
Jaramillo, now relying on her aunt for childcare, has vowed to hold Jackson and the agencies accountable for what happened to her children. “I want justice for my kids,” Jaramillo said. “I trusted this system. I let her into our lives. And now I need answers — and to get to the bottom of what really happened in my home.”