A Lexington day care worker faces a criminal abuse charge, accused of locking a small child in a bathroom last week.

Lexington police spokeswoman Sherelle Roberts said the alleged abuse occurred Thursday at Next Generation day care center on Industry Road.

Roberts said Samantha Deering told police that Ebonie Washington, a worker at the day care center, had placed Deering's 4-year-old daughter in a bathroom as punishment for misbehaving.

"The information we received was that the child was left there for an extended period of time as punishment," Roberts said. "Our officers investigated, determined that there was probable cause, and arrested the day care worker."

Washington, 30, was arrested Friday night on a charge of first-degree criminal abuse.

Washington is scheduled to appear in Fayette District Court at 1 p.m. Friday.

Reach Jim Warren (859) 231-3255.