DAYCARE HORROR Boy, 1, suffered ‘day of torture’ at preschool as Dad reveals shocking injuries & chilling vid uncovering worker’s lies
Surveillance footage quickly revealed the truth of the situation after a worker blamed the injuries on another child
A TODDLER’S first day at a daycare ended in horror after he was allegedly beaten by a worker who had blamed another child.
The shocking claims were made by the boy’s father, who shared photos of his one-year-old son’s battered face.
The ordeal unfolded at Little Blessings Child Care, a church-affiliated daycare in Bainbridge, Georgia, near the Florida border.
One-year-old Clay Weeks was left with a black eye, deep scratches, and swelling after just hours inside the classroom.
His father, Cory Weeks, a Marine, called it “every parent’s worst nightmare” in a Facebook post that quickly spread online.
Cory said staff initially told him another child caused the injuries with a plastic toy.
But chilling surveillance footage, which he later viewed with Bainbridge Public Safety officers, allegedly showed a different story.
The video reportedly captured daycare worker Yvette Thurston, 54, pushing a table into the child, knocking him to the floor, and failing to help him.
Authorities said Thurston was arrested on August 11 and charged with first-degree aggravated battery and three counts of first-degree child abuse.
She was booked into the Decatur County Jail before posting bond set at $44,000.
“Nothing we saw was for the faint-hearted, especially happening to such an innocent soul,” Cory wrote after watching the footage.
He added that the “severity of the acts of violence” led him to believe it was not Thurston’s first time hurting a child.
Clay’s injuries were treated at Memorial Hospital and Manor, where EMTs and staff documented evidence while also comforting the boy.
Cory praised both emergency responders and hospital staff for their care, saying they ensured Clay felt safe after what he called a “day of torture.”
The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning confirmed Thurston had been terminated and announced an emergency 21-day closure of Little Blessings.
The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning told The U.S. Sun in an email that the teacher has been terminated and the center remains under an emergency closure order while the investigation continues.
Clay’s mother, Cassie, posted after the closure was announced: “Thank you God for this step in the right direction.”
The case has also sparked anger in the community and the judge even received threats for granting Thurston bond.
District Attorney Joe Mulholland warned that anyone making threats would be prosecuted, stressing judges must be able to rule without fear for their safety.
“The rule of law is the foundation of our community,” his office said, adding they “will not tolerate abuse of the children in our community” nor threats against officials.
Thurston has not publicly commented on the allegations.
The daycare itself has also not issued a direct statement about the arrest.
DECAL said its investigation remains ongoing and it will continue working with law enforcement on a full review of the incident.
Cory has urged other parents to always ask questions when their children come home with injuries.
“Don’t ever feel like you can’t question how an injury happened to your child because I almost didn’t,” he warned.
He also cautioned parents not to rely on “happy pictures” from classrooms, claiming they can mask what is really happening.
“This was his first day,” Cory wrote. “We trusted this facility, and on day one that trust was violated.”
The U.S. Sun contacted Little Blessings Child Care for comment, but did not receive a response.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 800 422 4453 or live chat at https://www.childhelphotline.org/.
If a child or other person is in immediate danger, contact 911 immediately.