Atlanta News category interest

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - New exclusive video released to Atlanta News First appears to show a local daycare employee at the Destined For Greatness Academy in Snellville dragging and striking a 3-year-old child.

The family of the child now wants justice.

After five years of battling the daycare’s owners in court, the McLaughlins are speaking out about what happened to Atlanta News First.

“As a father, my job is to protect, and you feel like you didn’t do your job,” Mr. McLaughlin said.

Cameras inside the Destined For Greatness Academy in Snellville captured images showing their 3-year-old daughter being dragged, slammed in the corner, and appeared to be struck by the employee.

“It was very, very hard to see. We broke down the moment the video started,” Mrs. McLaughlin said.

The McLaughlins’ attorney said management minimized the bruising.

“Initially they were told their daughter fell off a bicycle and that’s how she had the bruising on her arms, and when my clients didn’t believe it that’s when they ultimately showed them the video of what happened to her,” said Eston Hood, the attorney for the McLaughlins.

Hood said they’re now suing the Snellville childcare center for damages and an undisclosed amount of money.

Atlanta News First pressed the daycare for answers.

We attempted multiple times to speak to the owners and employees at the facility in person and over the phone.

Atlanta News First also tried contacting the daycare’s owner and contacted the childcare center’s attorney for comment but no one answered.

The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning provided Atlanta News First documentation showing the Destined For Greatness Academy was fined $500 for jeopardizing the health and safety of a child in its care.

The 3-year-old sustained bruises to both arms and upper torso after being physically disciplined by staff.

The McLaughlins were disappointed the daycare never lost its license.

“Here we are five years later and we’re still dealing with it,” Mrs. McLaughlin said. “It’s definitely an emotional roller coaster.”

The McLaughlins pressed charges against the employee in the video.

The McLaughlins’ attorney said the employee eventually spent five days in jail and was terminated from the daycare.