A small town in Maryland was rocked by a disturbing case of child abuse that unfolded at an unlicensed daycare center operated by Nicole Bochenek.
This 46-year-old woman’s heinous actions have now resulted in a staggering 55-year prison sentence, a sobering reminder of the grave consequences that can arise when the most vulnerable members of society are betrayed by those entrusted with their care.
On June 7, 2023, emergency medical services in Mardela Springs rushed to Bochenek’s residence in response to a 911 call reporting that a 9-month-old child was unresponsive and not breathing.
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The severity of the infant’s injuries was staggering – multiple skull fractures, brain bleeds, spinal fractures, and other bone fractures, all consistent with abusive blunt force trauma and non-accidental trauma.
The child was immediately transported to Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where the medical team worked tirelessly to save her life.
As Wicomico County Child Advocacy Center detectives investigated the incident, they made a chilling discovery – another child in Bochenek’s care also exhibited visible signs of abuse.
During questioning, the daycare operator admitted to shaking the infant in order to silence her cries, a practice she had engaged in over the course of several weeks. Bochenek also confessed to striking another child in her care.
The investigation did not stop there. Detectives soon identified a third child who had fallen victim to Bochenek’s physical abuse while attending the unlicensed daycare center at her residence. All three victims were under the age of 5, a heartbreaking testament to the vulnerability of the children entrusted to Bochenek’s care.
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The infant, who suffered from a devastating array of injuries, faced an uncertain future as the long-term effects of the abuse remained to be seen.
The other two children, also subjected to Bochenek’s cruelty, will carry the weight of their traumatic experiences, requiring extensive support and healing to overcome the lasting impacts.
The Wicomico County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Bochenek with first-degree child abuse, first-degree assault, and two counts of second-degree child abuse.
Wicomico County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Dykes praised the efforts of the emergency medical personnel, law enforcement, and child protective services, whose dedicated work was instrumental in securing justice for the victims.
In March, Bochenek pleaded guilty to the charges, and on May 24, Judge S. James Sarbanes of the Circuit Court for Wicomico County handed down a 55-year prison sentence.
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The tragic events in Mardela Springs shine a spotlight on the broader issue of unlicensed daycare centers, which often operate in the shadows, beyond the reach of regulatory oversight and proper safeguards.
These unregulated facilities pose a significant risk to the well-being of children, as evidenced by the harrowing case of Nicole Bochenek.
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