Daycare Worker Arrested After Toddler Arrives With Black Eye and Swollen Face on First Day
For most parents, dropping off a child at daycare for the first time is both nerve-wracking and hopeful—they want their little ones to be safe, happy, and well cared for. But for 1-year-old Clay, his first day at Little Blessings Child Care in Bainbridge, Georgia, turned into a nightmare.
Alleged Abuse Covered Up
When Clay’s father, Cory Weeks, saw his son at the end of the day, he was horrified. The toddler had severe injuries, including bruises and cuts across his face. Staff initially claimed another child had caused the injuries with a toy, but video evidence painted a far more disturbing picture.
Authorities confirmed that 54-year-old Yvette Thurston has been arrested and now faces three counts of first-degree child abuse and one count of first-degree aggravated battery, according to WDRW. Following her arrest, a judge set her bond at $44,000. Online records show that Thurston was released from the Decatur County Jail last week after posting bond.
City of Bainbridge Public Safety
“Every Parent’s Worst Nightmare”
Weeks, a U.S. Marine, went public with the ordeal in an emotional Facebook post, sharing graphic photos of his son. The images show Clay’s face swollen, with cuts and bruising around his right eye and cheek.
“This is every parent’s worst nightmare, and we had to live it and are still living it,” Weeks wrote. Both Clay and his older brother, 3-year-old Wyatt, had started at the facility that day. Weeks said he was initially told that another child had caused the injury, but after demanding answers, he obtained surveillance footage showing Thurston allegedly assaulting his son.
“Nothing we saw was for the faint-hearted, especially happening to such an innocent soul,” he wrote. “The severity of the acts of violence against our son has everyone convinced this was not her first time. We trusted this facility to care for and love our kids, and on their first day, that trust was violated.”
Rushed to Hospital
Clay was immediately taken to Memorial Hospital and Manor, where doctors treated his injuries. Weeks urged other parents to remain vigilant:
“We want EVERYONE to be aware that this happened. Don’t ever feel like you can’t question how an injury happened to your child, because I almost didn’t… Also, don’t believe the ‘happy pictures’ sent to you—those were taken during a day of complete torture for our Clay,” he wrote.
Cory Weeks / Facebook
The Decatur County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that investigators reviewed surveillance footage from the daycare, though the specifics have not yet been released. Meanwhile, Georgia’s Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL), which oversees child care facilities, confirmed that Thurston has been removed from her position.
“It is our understanding that the employee has been terminated by the child care program,” a DECAL spokesperson said. “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.”
Weeks has vowed to pursue justice for his son: “There will be more coming from this, and we will make sure nothing is ‘swept under the rug.’”
This shocking incident is a reminder to remain vigilant and ask questions about your child’s care. Sharing this information could help prevent another child from enduring a similar ordeal.