An Anaheim nanny is facing 10 felony child abuse charges after surveillance footage allegedly showed her punching and shaking a two-month-old baby in her care. The woman, identified as 29-year-old Iara Dossantos Bomfim, is also accused of fleeing to her native Brazil after the child’s mother discovered what had happened.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Bomfim was arrested last week after returning to the United States. Prosecutors say she had been trying to set up a new Care.com profile to find another nanny job.
The mother first became concerned after hearing her son crying in the nursery. When she went to check on him, Bomfim reportedly assured her that everything was fine. The mother wasn’t convinced, however, and decided to look through recordings from the nanny camera.
The childcare site eventually permanently banned her
The footage allegedly showed Bomfim sitting on a yoga ball while bouncing the baby so forcefully that his unsupported head and neck moved back and forth. In another part of the recording, she appeared to strike the back of his head with a closed fist.
Police later went through 30 days of footage from the family’s home. According to investigators, the recordings documented repeated abuse over a period of nearly three weeks. The alleged incidents began in late June, when the infant was just two months and 10 days old.
There were other incidents beyond the punching and shaking. One recording reportedly showed the baby falling headfirst off a bed while Bomfim was supervising him. In another, she allegedly threw him onto the bed.
The mother discovered the recordings and confronted Bomfim on July 11. The following day, the nanny allegedly left the United States for Brazil. Investigators continued looking into her activities while she was abroad.
Her return to the country eventually led to her arrest. Prosecutors say Bomfim had tried to create another Care.com profile, apparently intending to resume working in child care. Her attempt was flagged, and investigators were alerted to the activity.
A Care.com spokesperson said the company had permanently removed Bomfim from its platform after learning of the allegations. It also blocked her later attempts to create new profiles and notified law enforcement, helping investigators locate her.
Her bail is set at $500,000
Bomfim was arrested by the Irvine Police Department and charged with 10 felony counts of child abuse. She pleaded not guilty and remains in custody at the Orange County jail. Her bail is set at $500,000. A conviction on all counts could carry a sentence of up to 18 years in state prison.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer described the case as a “family’s nightmare” and urged parents to take care when choosing people to look after their children. He also encouraged anyone who notices suspicious behavior to contact local police. Care.com said it is cooperating with the district attorney’s office and the Irvine Police Department as the case proceeds.
Published: Oct 30, 2026 10:15 am