“I AM PLEADING GUILTY”!!! BELIEVE IT OR NOT, AUTHORITIES SAY MISSOURI DAYCARE OWNER NAOMI HESS FACED ACCUSATIONS OF ABUSING FOUR TODDLERS AT PLAY N’ LEARN DAYCARE… AND SHE HAS NOW ENTERED A GUILTY PLEA ON LESSER CHARGES ON THE VERY DAY HER BENCH TRIAL WAS SET TO BEGIN.
Naomi Hess was the owner of Play N’ Learn Daycare in Moberly.
The facility became the focus of an investigation following a hotline tip made to Moberly Police.
The report made to law enforcement alleged that abuse was taking place at the daycare.
Authorities said a daycare employee had also recorded video of the alleged abuse.
The allegations in the case involved both physical and emotional abuse.
According to court records, four very young children were involved in the case.
Court records specified that the children involved were three 2-year-olds and one 3-year-old.
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Hess was originally charged with four counts of abuse or neglect of a child — no sexual contact.
In August 2024, Hess voluntarily surrendered her daycare license.
She surrendered the license to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Her bench trial had been scheduled to begin on a Monday.
Then, on the same day the trial was scheduled to start, Hess entered a plea.
She pleaded guilty Monday to four counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child creating substantial risk.
The guilty plea was entered to lesser charges than the initial abuse or neglect counts.
And with the plea entered, the case against the former daycare owner moves toward sentencing.
She is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 4, 2026.
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