Nanny candidate has a criminal record. Would you hire?

[Anonymous]

I liked the nanny. A simple Google search brought up a second degree assault charge from over a decade long ago (but after she was in her 30s). This site looked legit.

Another site cited 4 records and wanted me to pay to find out more.

She said she worked for the same family 7 years, so obviously other families found it to be no problem and hired. My gut says I have to let this candidate go, not even worth asking her about it right. Whether it's 1 or 4 records, whether it was just an arrest and no conviction, it's too risky right, when your child is still a infant, not yet speaking.

Is the care.com background checks worth it? They cost $200-400! I dod a search here and many replied online background checks can be inaccurate. So where do I go to get one? A poster wrote hire a PI but I think that's too much (not only invasive but probably expensive too).

[Anonymous]

I would ask her about it. Get more info.

[Anonymous]

To clarify, I don't mind spending $200-$400 but I want it to be thorough and reliable.

Also to clarify, at the minimum the assault charge is her record. Same unique name, same DOB, DMV area address.

[Anonymous]

What's second degree assault, OP?

[Anonymous]

Caused physical injury to the other person. It's a misdemeanor but the nanny went to jail 2 months, the rest suspended sentence. After I posted I went to check the state public records and found enough details I got my conclusion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Caused physical injury to the other person. It's a misdemeanor but the nanny went to jail 2 months, the rest suspended sentence. After I posted I went to check the state public records and found enough details I got my conclusion.

For battery? No, you do not hire her.

[Anonymous]

From another point of view: I would suggest asking her about it. There may be missing info. For example, my neighbor has an assault charge on her record. She was in a physically abusive relationship. She was beaten almost daily. The day she decided to defend herself her husband called the cops on her. She was arrested and convicted. So yes-she assaulted someone. But the reality is that sometimes there is a legit reason for it. Domestic violence is the first thing that came to mind. My neighbor is no longer in that relationship and I would hire her in a heartbeat. She isn't a violent and dangerous person. She was just in a bad situation.

To be clear I am NOT saying this is the case with this person, but asking her about it might be worth your time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From another point of view: I would suggest asking her about it. There may be missing info. For example, my neighbor has an assault charge on her record. She was in a physically abusive relationship. She was beaten almost daily. The day she decided to defend herself her husband called the cops on her. She was arrested and convicted. So yes-she assaulted someone. But the reality is that sometimes there is a legit reason for it. Domestic violence is the first thing that came to mind. My neighbor is no longer in that relationship and I would hire her in a heartbeat. She isn't a violent and dangerous person. She was just in a bad situation.

To be clear I am NOT saying this is the case with this person, but asking her about it might be worth your time.

The part that got me was the 2 months in prison. I bet your neighbor didn't do prison time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From another point of view: I would suggest asking her about it. There may be missing info. For example, my neighbor has an assault charge on her record. She was in a physically abusive relationship. She was beaten almost daily. The day she decided to defend herself her husband called the cops on her. She was arrested and convicted. So yes-she assaulted someone. But the reality is that sometimes there is a legit reason for it. Domestic violence is the first thing that came to mind. My neighbor is no longer in that relationship and I would hire her in a heartbeat. She isn't a violent and dangerous person. She was just in a bad situation.

To be clear I am NOT saying this is the case with this person, but asking her about it might be worth your time.

The part that got me was the 2 months in prison. I bet your neighbor didn't do prison time.

I too was arrested when I called the police on an abusive partner. My family was able to help me pay for a very good lawyer so I have no record; perhaps this woman wasn't so lucky. Maybe you shouldn't be quite so quick to judge.

[Anonymous]

http://info.homeworksolutions.com/blog/a-nanny-background-screening-you-can-trust

The Nannyverify.com screen is fast, and economical.

[Anonymous]

I have paid for some online background checks & the results have been comical at best.

I put my own info in and found out I was previously married to two different men....All before I was even born!!

I also read that I received 30+ traffic tickets in a state where I have never set foot in!!

So buyer beware, these online checks are a farce, they fabricate things to make money for themselves.

[Anonymous]

I also called the police on an abusive ex, but after speaking to us both they went ahead & took me to jail.

It's so sad that when one reaches out for help from the authorities, it is not available which sadly can make a victim feel more isolated + forced to stay w/an abuser due to guilt.

[Anonymous]

Make her get her own background check. If she wants a job she needs one, so make it a condition.

[Anonymous]

Are You sure it is her and not the record of someone with the same name? If you like her worth a check.

[Anonymous]

I think you need to listen to your gut. She assaulted another person badly enough to go to jail for TWO MONTHS. Also, the fact that this behavior happened after age 30 suggests that she may have some impulse control issues, at the least. It would make me question her judgment.

How close are you with the other family she worked for? Can you call them and ask if they did, in fact, know about the charge and jail time?

I hate to discriminate against people who had done their time and (hopefully) rehabilitated themselves, but hiring a nanny is not the same as hiring a secretary or someone to make your latte. This is someone who will be taking care of your defenseless, non-verbal infant, and will be mostly unsupervised. You want to be able to trust that the nanny has good judgment and a relatively calm temperament. Would you ever be able to really trust this nanny?

For me, the answer would be no way.