by Bainbridge, GA – A Georgia daycare worker has been arrested after a toddler was found with a swollen face and black eye on his first day at the facility, prompting outrage from the child’s family and an ongoing state investigation.
Authorities confirmed that Yvette Thurston, 54, was taken into custody on Monday and charged with three counts of first-degree child abuse and one count of first-degree aggravated battery, according to WDRW.
The arrest followed a report of suspected abuse at Little Blessings Child Care, a church-affiliated daycare in Bainbridge, near the Florida border.
Father Shares Disturbing Photos
The toddler’s father, Cory Weeks, a U.S. Marine, went public with the allegations by posting heartbreaking photos of his 1-year-old son, Clay, on Facebook. The images showed the child with severe bruising, a black eye, swelling on his right cheek, and cuts across his face.
“This is every parent’s worst nightmare and we had to live it and are still living it,” Weeks wrote.
Weeks explained that both Clay and his 3-year-old brother Wyatt had just started at the daycare that morning. At first, he was told another child had caused the injuries with a toy. But after pressing further, he discovered surveillance video that he said clearly showed Thurston attacking his son.
“Nothing we saw was for the faint-hearted, especially happening to such an innocent soul,” Weeks said, adding that the severity of the violence made him believe this was not the first time Thurston had harmed a child.
Child Treated at Hospital
Clay was rushed to Memorial Hospital and Manor, where doctors treated his injuries. The boy’s father said the family is determined to make sure the incident is not ignored or downplayed.
“We trusted this facility to care and love our kids and on their first day that was violated,” Weeks said. “There will be more coming from this, and we will make sure nothing is ‘swept under the rug.’”
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State and Local Investigations
The Decatur County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that investigators reviewed surveillance footage from the daycare, which played a key role in the case against Thurston.
Meanwhile, the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) confirmed that Thurston had been terminated from her position at Little Blessings Child Care.
“It is our understanding that the employee has been terminated by the child care program,” a DECAL spokesperson told The New York Post. “As our investigation is still in its early stages, DECAL will continue to work closely with law enforcement and all relevant parties to ensure a comprehensive review of the facts.”
Community Reaction
The shocking case has sparked anger in the Bainbridge community and beyond, with many parents voicing fears about safety in childcare centers. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine whether other children may have been harmed.
What do you think should happen to ensure stricter protections in daycares? Share your thoughts in the comments on ibwhsmag.com.
