A Champaign Family YMCA daycare worker has been found guilty of assault after court proceedings that spanned more than two months.

Darlene Karns, age 67 of Mechanicsburg, slapped a 1-year-old child in the face on March 12 during caretaking duties at the YMCA.

The force of the slap was hard enough to cause the child to “jerk” in his seat, according to a police report from the Urbana Police Division.

Upon learning of the incident, the YMCA terminated Karns and reported the incident to Job and Family Services, according to a police report from the UPD.

The incident was captured on the video recording system installed at the YMCA. The video evidence was given by the Y to the Urbana Police Division.

Karns was arraigned in Champaign County Municipal Court on assault charges on March 22.

On May 31, Karns was sentenced to $100 plus court costs, 30 days in jail with 30 days suspended, community control for 12 months and ordered to have no contact with the victim.

The Champaign Family YMCA issued the following statement when contacted by the Urbana Daily Citizen:

“At the Champaign Family YMCA, the safety and well-being of children in our care always has been and always will be our top priority. We take our responsibility to children and their families very seriously. When we were made aware of this incident, this individual’s employment at our Y was immediately terminated and the proper authorities were notified.”