Preschool accused of abusing students

DOWNEY - Former teachers at Heavenly Unicorn Preschool and Daycare in Downey are alleging that children are being abused on the site, according to a report aired by CBS-2 News last week.The former employees claim that children were held down while teachers encouraged others to hit and bite them. Eloisa Mercado, owner and operator of the facility, would not comment on the accusations, but Mercado's brother Gil Maga denied the claims. "They are serious obviously and should be taken seriously," said Maga in the CBS report. "They are unfounded and malicious by nature. They're coming from disgruntled employees who were facing elimination." An attorney representing the group of three teachers and two parents has reported the allegations to the Downey Police Department and an investigation is underway. Heavenly Unicorn rents space from Trinity Baptist Church, which is located at 8219 Florence Ave.

********** Published: October 9, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 25