Virginia preschool teacher fired after CCTV shows tying toddler to chair

A Virginia private preschool fired an unnamed teaching assistant after surveillance video captured her tying a 21-month-old to a chair with a blanket in a VINCI School Alexandria North classroom on Aug. 13, 2025. The incident occurred during lunch at about 11:40 a.m., with the child allegedly bound to the chair for roughly 22 minutes, according to a report obtained by AXLNOW.

VINCI School officials, following a tip from the day care licensing office, alerted the Virginia Department of Social Services, which opened an inspection of the school. The report describes the 21-month-old being restrained to a chair during lunch, with the teacher claiming the action was taken because the child threw food and left the table before the meal was finished. An additional adult reportedly entered the room during the incident and did not untie the child.

School administrators said the incident did not cause harm. In a statement to local news channel WUSA9, the school’s principal, Dr. Dan Yang, said, "In child care there are many things that are not black and white. However, we are a very firm believer that regulations and rules must be followed regardless of our feelings to the person in question." Yang also noted that the teacher had made a big mistake violating regulations but asserted there was no evidence of abuse or harm to the child.

Kristina Milam, the regional director of operations, told WUSA9 that the teacher had been with VINCI School Alexandria North for more than four years and was well-liked by many families. Milam emphasized that accountability and a safe, compliant environment are non-negotiable.

The Department of Social Services has said VINCI School’s practices fall under a policy that prohibits the physical restraint of children, including restraining them to chairs, car seats, strollers or any other device, as a form of discipline or in lieu of supervision. Restraint is permitted only as a last resort if a child is in danger of harming themselves or others. Local police informed WUSA9 that they were notified of the incident through Child Protective Services and found no criminal activity involved.

The school said it promptly moved to fire the employee involved and to cooperate with authorities as investigations continue. The incident has drawn attention to how disciplinary methods are supervised in early childhood settings and the ongoing emphasis on safeguarding children in care, with state regulators and school officials reiterating that any action outside established policies is not tolerated.