Shocking CCTV Footage Shows Nursery Worker Throwing Shoe at Child
A childcare worker at the Destiny Development Center in Inglewood, California, has been captured on surveillance video removing her shoe and hurling it at a five-year-old girl, causing the child to cry. The disturbing incident, recorded on January 16, shows two other staff members witnessing the event and laughing instead of intervening.
Mother's Outrage and Delayed Response
The girl's mother, Michelae Jones, expressed profound shock and anger upon learning about the incident from her daughter that same evening. Jones, who had trusted the facility for three years, immediately confronted the nursery's director, Danielle Williams. However, she reported that the staff response was frustratingly slow, with a two-week wait before she could view the CCTV footage.
"I've been with these people for three years. I really thought my baby was safe with them," Jones told local station KTLA. The child's aunt, Kira Townsend, raised serious concerns about the center's safety protocols, questioning why footage reviews only occurred after parental complaints.
Nursery Director's Investigation and Dismissals
Director Danielle Williams initiated an investigation following Jones' complaint. Williams initially claimed the worker was "throwing shoes into another room that weren't supposed to be there and [the child] accidentally got hit in the head with the shoe." She emphasized that the facility does not condone child abuse and conducts thorough background checks on all employees.
Despite her initial explanation, Williams ultimately fired the shoe-throwing worker, identified only as "Ms. Emily." The two other staff members present during the incident were initially suspended for failing to report it but were later dismissed after further review of the footage.
Demands for Justice and Police Investigation
Michelae Jones insists that a simple apology is insufficient and fears this may not be an isolated incident. She is calling for the worker's arrest on charges of assault and child abuse, stating "You need to be in jail like any other child abuser. That's what I want. Justice."
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is currently investigating the incident. The case has raised broader questions about childcare facility oversight and the adequacy of safety measures in early childhood education centers.
