A Georgia day care worker is facing multiple felony charges after a 1-year-old boy was allegedly injured on his first day at the facility, and now, disturbing new details are emerging about what police saw on surveillance footage.
Yvette Thurston, 54, was arrested Monday, August 11, and charged with three counts of first-degree child abuse and one count of first-degree aggravated battery. She has since bonded out of Decatur County Jail on $44,000 bail.
The alleged abuse took place at Little Blessings Child Care in Bainbridge, a facility affiliated with the Bainbridge Church of God.
“Every Parent’s Worst Nightmare”
Cory Weeks, a U.S. Marine and father of 1-year-old Clay, shared photos of his son’s injuries online — showing a swollen black eye and scratches across the toddler’s face. He said both Clay and his 3-year-old brother Wyatt were attending their first day at the center when the incident occurred.
“This is every parent’s worst nightmare and we had to live it — and are still living it,” Weeks wrote in a Facebook post.
According to Weeks, the family was initially told that another child caused the injuries using a plastic toy, but he later tracked down surveillance footage himself. He claims the video shows Thurston attacking his son. Police confirmed the footage played a key role in the charges against her
“Nothing we saw was for the faint-hearted, especially happening to such an innocent soul,” Weeks said, adding that the severity of the violence left his family convinced this was not Thurston’s first time.
Authorities and State Step In
The Bainbridge Police Department confirmed that Clay was rushed to Memorial Hospital and Manor, where doctors treated his injuries. While officials have not released specific details about the footage, they confirmed it played a critical role in the investigation.
The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) also issued a statement:
“Our agency is currently conducting a thorough investigation… It has been confirmed that a teacher has been arrested in connection with these allegations.”
DECAL says it will continue to work closely with law enforcement to ensure a comprehensive review of the facts.
Thurston was identified as an employee at Little Blessings Child Care, though a DECAL spokesperson told The Post it is their understanding that she has since been terminated. Representatives of the facility did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
