Chesterton Daycare Owner Charged with Battery Involving Child
A Chesterton woman has been charged with battery resulting in bodily injury to a child following an incident that occurred at her home daycare on July 7, 2025.
According to court documents, the father of the child reported that he arrived at 122 N. 18th Street to say goodbye to his wife and son before leaving for a work trip. He said he observed his son holding his face. When the child removed his hand, the father saw visible scratches and asked what had happened. The child reportedly responded, “Elaine,” referring to the daycare owner.
The woman, identified as Elaine A. White, 38, allegedly admitted to scratching the child’s face in response to the child scratching another child. The father later provided police with text messages in which White appeared to suggest fabricating an explanation for the injuries. In one message, she reportedly stated, “The only way out of that is to say another kid scratched him or he fell on a toy on the way down.”
Photos submitted by the father reportedly show the child had two red scratch marks running from his temple to jawline and a third smaller mark near his mouth.
The incident was investigated by the Chesterton Police Department.
Charge filed on July 14, 2025:
- Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury to a Person Under 14 – Level 6 Felony
