Daycare Worker Arrested For Stealing Jewelry From Kids And Pawning Them

A former daycare worker has been accused of stealing jewelry from three children that she was entrusted to safely take care of. The San Antonio woman was caught for pawning the jewelry off and was arrested by the police at her home Wednesday.

Virginia Vela Torres, who no longer works at the daycare, is accused of stealing jewelry from a three-year-old child and two four-year-olds that were at the daycare in the month of November. According to the arrest affidavit, the incident took place off Southwest Loop 410 near Lake Valley Street, reported KENS 5.

The former daycare worker’s actions came to light after one of the four-year-old children mentioned to her parents that her bracelet was taken away by someone at the daycare, said a report by News 4 San Antonio. The child said her charm bracelet was taken away while she was washing her hands, and when she asked for it back, Torres didn’t return it.

The child’s mother later went to the daycare, where the administration said that another parent made similar allegations.

Authorities were notified, and the San Antonio Police Department's (SAPD) South Property Crimes unit began investigating. On Nov. 29, authorities checked the database of a pawnshop and found Torres’ name. They also saw that she had pawned off a charm bracelet.

In a video that captured Torres at the pawnshop, authorities also saw the former daycare worker wearing a pink t-shirt that read, “It takes a big heart to shape little minds.”

Investigators were eventually able to retrieve all the bracelets that Torres stole from the little children placed in her care. The accused woman was arrested at her residence on Wednesday.

Jennifer Rodriguez, a Public Information Officer with SAPD, said in a news conference that Torres committed a felony offense of "theft of a person." She could be punished and put behind bars for up to two years for the crime.

Following the incident, the police asked the public to provide any valuable information related to the case or come forward if they have been victims of the daycare worker's actions. Individuals can get in touch with authorities by contacting the South Property Crimes unit at 210-207-7184.