Tacoma police were searching Monday for a man who beat a day care worker as she was opening the business.
The assault happened about 6:40 a.m. at Tender Heart Learning Center, 8018 Pacific Ave.
Police said a man knocked on the day care’s locked door and told the employee he wanted to enroll his child. Although the woman hesitated, she let him inside to start the paperwork. Police do not believe the two knew each other.
No children had arrived yet, and the worker was alone in the center.
“He proceeded to brutally attack her,” police spokeswoman Loretta Cool said. “She was severely beaten.”
Another employee showing up to work interrupted the assault and the man fled south on Pacific Avenue, police said. Officers were unable to find the man in a search around the area.
The woman was taken to an area hospital with serious injuries. She was expected to survive.
Because of the woman’s medical condition, investigators had not been able to finish their interview with the woman. They declined to provide details of the attack, including what might have prompted it.
The owner of the day care could not be reached.
The attacker was described as black, in his 20s, about 5 feet 6 with a very narrow face and small Afro haircut.
stacia.glenn@thenewstribune.com253-597-8653
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