For most parents, dropping their child off at daycare for the first time is emotional but hopeful. But for 1-year-old Clay, his first day at Little Blessings Child Care in Bainbridge, Georgia, ended in horror.<\/p>\n
Clay\u2019s father, Cory Weeks, a U.S. Marine, was shocked to find his son with a swollen face, bruises, and cuts. Daycare staff initially claimed another child injured Clay with a toy \u2014 but surveillance footage revealed otherwise.<\/p>\n
Yvette Thurston, 54, a daycare worker, was arrested and charged with three counts of first-degree child abuse and one count of aggravated battery. She has since been released on $44,000 bond and removed from her position.<\/p>\n
Weeks shared graphic images of Clay online, describing the ordeal as \u201cevery parent\u2019s worst nightmare.\u201d He said both Clay and his 3-year-old brother had just started at the daycare and that the video showed Thurston assaulting Clay.<\/p>\n
Clay was rushed to Memorial Hospital and Manor for treatment. Weeks urged other parents to question injuries and not be misled by cheerful daycare photos.<\/p>\n
Georgia\u2019s Department of Early Care and Learning is investigating the incident. Weeks has vowed to fight for justice, stating, \u201cWe will make sure nothing is swept under the rug.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
For most parents, dropping their child off at daycare for the first time is emotional but hopeful. But for 1-year-old Clay, his first day at Little Blessings Child Care in Bainbridge, Georgia, ended in horror. Clay\u2019s father, Cory Weeks, a U.S. Marine, was shocked to find his son with a swollen face, bruises, and cuts….<\/p>\n