A Putnam County couple says their son was abused inside a day care.

Marianne Lanzilli says her 3-year-old son was abused by Vera Iaconis, a former co-owner of  "Once Upon A Time" day care in Putnam Valley.

“She grabbed him from underneath his arms and just forcefully placed him on the circle time rug and she proceeded to get on top of him,” says Lanzilli.

Lanzilli says another worker reported the behavior to Child Protective Services. CPS alerted the Lanzillis.

Once Upon A Time declined to comment because the incident is under investigation.

Iaconis is facing a disorderly conduct violation.

The Lanzillis wants a more serious charge reflected on her record, such as "endangering the welfare of a child."

“How did you compare putting a 3-year-old's life in danger to someone stealing something from a grocery store, that's ridiculous,” says Lanzilli.

Iaconis has since been fired and filed a lawsuit against the day care center for wrongful termination.

According to court documents, the center terminated Iaconis, saying she physically abused a child by grabbing him, yanking him and leaning her body weight on the child.

News 12 reached out to the Putnam County Sheriff's Department to obtain the day care's surveillance video that allegedly shows the abuse.