Two New Jersey women are facing charges Monday after it was discovered they were allegedly running a “fight club” involving kids aged 4-6.
According to investigators, Erica Kenny, 22, of Cranford, and Chanese White, 28, of Roselle, would often reference the movie Fight Club as they encouraged kids in preschool and Kindergarten to fight with each other and filmed the fights as they happened.
“About a dozen children — boys and girls between the ages 4 and 6 — just fighting; throwing each other to the ground; hitting each other,” said Union County Prosecutor Grace Park.
Kenny and White allegedly shared the videos of the fights with friends using Snapchat.
“Most parents would be astonished by the behavior,” Park said.
The women were both fired from the preschool, which released a statement condemning their behavior.
“As parents and caregivers, we are shocked and saddened by this isolated incident and we have assisted the prosecutor’s office from the start of its investigation into this matter,” Lightbridge Academy said in a statement. “While no children were physically harmed during this incident, we have a zero tolerance policy for anyone who acts in conflict with the core value of Lightbridge Academy – the safety and well-being of children.”
When asked how the fights could go on without being noticed, vice president Jaclyn Falzarano said, “Again, what we really would like to focus on at this point is that all of the children are safe. That is our number one priority. We’ve actually been in constant communication with our parents to let them know that we are here to fully support the care and nurturing education of their children.”
White faces up to 18 months in prison, and Kenny could face up to five years.