Licensed Woodbridge Day Care Owner Charged With Abduction, Child Abuse

The owner of a licensed home day care in Woodbridge has been charged with abduction, child abuse and neglect after a 4-year-old girl was reportedly left in a utility closet with her hands tied behind her back, Prince William County police said in a release. 

Detectives from the Physical Abuse Unit and investigators from Child Protective Services investigated a report that abuse had occurred at a residential day care in the 1900 block of Brooke Farm Court in Woodbridge. On Friday, they executed a search warrant at the address. 

"The investigation revealed that on [Wednesday,] Aug. 22, the victim, a 4-year-old girl of Woodbridge, was placed in an unlit utility closet, with her hands tied behind her back, for approximately 10 minutes by the accused as a form of discipline," police spokesperson Jonathan Perok said. "Other children were present at the time of the offense, however no other abuse was reported."

Valerie Caye Hjort, 56, was arrested after the investigation, and was charged with abduction, child abuse and neglect. Her court date is unavailable. She is being held without bond.

Editor's Note: The above information came from the Prince William County Police Department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned it does not indicate a conviction.