2-Year-Old Forced to Use Feeding Tube After Abuse at Unlicensed Daycare, Police Say

PHOENIX, AZ — A 2-year-old boy is recovering from severe internal injuries and now relies on a feeding tube after police say he was brutally abused by the operator of an unlicensed in-home daycare. The woman responsible is facing multiple felony charges as authorities call the case one of the most disturbing instances of child abuse they’ve encountered in recent years.

According to the Phoenix Police Department, the child was enrolled at a private residence in the city’s west side that was operating as a daycare without proper licensing or state oversight. The woman in charge, 34-year-old Marissa Gutierrez, was arrested earlier this week and charged with child abuse resulting in serious physical injury, among other offenses.

A Shocking Discovery

The investigation began when the toddler’s mother noticed bruising on her son’s abdomen and face after picking him up from daycare. Within hours, he began vomiting and refusing to eat. He was rushed to a local hospital, where doctors discovered severe damage to his esophagus and stomach lining consistent with trauma.

Medical staff ultimately had to insert a feeding tube to ensure the child’s survival. The attending physician described the injuries as “not accidental” and noted that the trauma was consistent with “forceful abdominal impact” — not a fall or typical toddler behavior.

Police Investigation and Arrest

After reviewing hospital reports and interviewing staff and neighbors, police executed a search warrant at Gutierrez’s home. Inside, they reportedly found unsafe conditions, including unsecured chemicals, lack of childproofing, and surveillance footage showing Gutierrez yelling at children and using physical force to control them.

Gutierrez allegedly admitted during questioning that she “lost her temper” with the child when he wouldn’t eat and claimed she “accidentally” pushed him too hard. Authorities say she had no childcare license, CPR certification, or background check clearance on file.

Legal Action and Licensing Concerns

Gutierrez is being held on $250,000 bond and faces multiple felony charges, including:

• Aggravated assault on a minor

• Operating a childcare facility without a license

• Child abuse with intent to cause serious injury

The Arizona Department of Health Services confirmed that the residence was not registered or inspected as a legal daycare facility, despite having advertised services for over a year on social media platforms and parenting forums.

Community and State Response

The incident has sparked outrage among parents and renewed calls for stricter oversight of unlicensed child care operations. State officials urge families to use Arizona’s online database to verify that child care providers are licensed and compliant with safety regulations.

“We cannot stress enough the importance of checking credentials before entrusting your child to someone’s care,” said Arizona DHS spokesperson Maria Lopez. “This tragedy is a painful reminder of what can happen when there is no oversight.”