Baby-sitter charged with assault
BY BRYAN SABELLA
Staff Writer

EDISON — Police arrested and charged an Iselin woman with aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child after a videotape showed the baby-sitter hitting an 8-month-old boy.

Ilaben Patel, 54, was hired last May by the parents of the infant to baby-sit, Edison Patrolman Robert Dudash said.

After several months, Dudash said, the parents noticed the child had lost weight and his demeanor had changed. Suspicious, the child’s father purchased a low-profile video camera, installed it in the living room and activated it Aug. 23.

After the parents reviewed the tape and allegedly observed Patel punching the child in his back at least six times and slapping his face at least twice, they called police, Dudash said.

Patel was arrested without incident as she reported for work the morning of Aug. 25, Dudash said.

She was held without bail at Middlesex County Adult Correction Center, North Brunswick.

The child exhibited no visible bruising and appeared to be in good health but was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick for evaluation, Dudash said.

When reached at his office, the child’s father declined to comment on the matter but did say the child’s health is good.