A daycare worker in Georgia is facing charges for allegedly assaulting a one-year-old child, resulting in injuries that left his face bruised and battered.
Yvette Thurston, 54, posted a $44,000 bond on August 16 after being charged with three counts of first-degree child abuse as well as one count of aggravated battery.
Judge Anne Marie Rose Emmons, who is handling Thurston’s case, has reportedly received death threats following her decision regarding the bond.
District Attorney Joe Mulholland from the South Georgia Circuit strongly defended the judge and condemned the threats directed at her.
“We do not condone any form of child abuse in our community. These children rely on us while their parents work,” he stated. He also emphasized that threats against judges would not be accepted.
“Those who attempt to compromise children’s safety or challenge our judicial system through threats will face serious consequences,” Mulholland added.
Thurston was arrested on August 11, after a family reported the incident at Little Blessing Child Care in Bainbridge, which is close to the Florida line.
Cory Weeks, a U.S. Marine, posted a picture of his injured son Clay on Facebook. The infant’s eyes were swollen and bruised, with visible cuts on his face.
Initially, Weeks was told that Clay was hurt by another child with a plastic toy. However, after reviewing surveillance footage, it was apparently revealed that Thurston was responsible for the attack.
Despite his disappointment with Thurston’s release, Weeks expressed gratitude for the support that the legal team had shown throughout the case.
“I’m aware that the person who did this isn’t in custody anymore, which isn’t easy for us to accept. My wife and I don’t agree with the system’s decision, but we have to respect it,” he mentioned in a social media post.
He added that his son is recovering well, surrounded by love and support.
Clay’s three-year-old sibling, Wyatt, also attended the same daycare but was unharmed.
Following the incident, the daycare was subject to an emergency closure by Georgia’s Faculty of Early Care and Learning, and an investigation into the circumstances leading to Clay’s injuries is ongoing.
