Two Riverina childcare workers sentenced for child assaults
Childcare workers Shannon Allan and Carissa Godfrey received conditional release orders after assaulting a child in their care.
Shannon Allan, 48, and Carissa Godfrey, 28, appeared separately before Judge Melissa Humphreys at Deniliquin Local Court on October 16 over incidents from November 2024. CCTV footage was crucial in proving guilt, though it had no sound.
Allan poured water from a drink bottle onto a child on November 12. The judge accepted her defence that it was a misguided attempt at play, not malice.
Godfrey faced two assault charges on November 12 and 19. She received an 18-month conditional release order for the first and a two-year order for the second.
The judge found her actions were a misguided attempt to change behaviour. But she noted Godfrey showed concern for the child and posed low risk of reoffending.
Neither worker received a conviction.
- October 16, 2026
- Court date
- November 12 and 19, 2024
- Incident dates
- Shannon Allan, 48; Carissa Godfrey, 28
- Workers' ages
Why it mattersChildcare safety shapes whether parents trust their workers. These sentences clarify what conduct will not be tolerated and what consequences follow.
AustraliaSentencing sets precedent for childcare assault cases in regional NSW and reinforces duty-of-care expectations across Australian services.
Corroborated bydailyadvertiser.com.au
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