A moray nursery worker has been struck off after assaulting a nine-month-old baby.
Jenna Paterson, of Burghead, inflicted such bad bruising that the infant had to be taken to hospital in Aberdeen for medical checks.
The 22-year-old, who was working at RAF Lossiemouth’s childcare centre at the time, claimed she had not meant to cause the baby any harm but had been “reckless” while changing a nappy.
However, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) ruled the “violent and abusive” offence was caused by “a loss of self-control”.
The watchdog condemned Paterson for a “serious breach of trust”.
Care bosses acknowledged Paterson had expressed remorse about the incident, but accused her of “showing no real insight into her behaviour.”
Their findings states: “Assaulting a baby whilst changing its nappy is an abuse of the trust placed in you by the child’s parents.
“Given your behaviour demonstrates a loss of self-control whilst carrying out a task required of a care worker, and the lack of insight into its implications, the risk of repetition is high.
“The parents of the child you were babysitting placed you in a position of trust.
“Assaulting the child to their injury caused, distress and fear and put the child at risk of physical and emotional harm.
“Such behaviour demonstrates a loss of self-control, and is violent and abusive, as well as being a serious breach of the trust placed in you.”
The infant’s parents knew Paterson through the nursery, and asked her to look after the child at their home while they went to a party on Saturday, December 12 last year.
But they received a call from her during the evening, claiming the baby was “acting up”.
The next morning, the parents noticed the bruising, and after Paterson denied any knowledge of it, they went to Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin.
Doctors were so worried they advised the couple to take their baby to the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital for further examination.
About a week later, police concluded that Paterson had caused the injuries and questioned her.
In June, she appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court and admitted assaulting the baby by applying pressure to and grabbing its arms, back and right leg.
She accepted she “had been quite aggressive” with the child, and said a bruise on the baby’s leg was caused because the infant was “wriggling” while a nappy was being changed.
Sheriff Olga Pasportnikov ordered Paterson to complete 135 hours of unpaid work.
The SSCS conceded that the offence was an “isolated incident”, which took place outside of Paterson’s workplace.
However, the governing body said her misconduct was so gross that its only recourse was to remove her from its register.
The report said: “Your behaviour demonstrated a serious disregard for the law and fell far below the standards expected of social services workers.
“A warning is not appropriate as it would not adequately address the extremely serious misconduct.”
Yesterday a SSCS spokeswoman said Paterson could apply to be restored to the register after three years, but that she would have to undergo a “complex process” which may entail a panel hearing.
It is understood that Paterson now works at a discount retail store in Elgin town centre. She could not be reached for comment last night.
