A daycare worker in Florida has been arrested on charges of child neglect causing great bodily harm after video surveillance captured her allegedly abusing a child during a timeout. The incident took place at M&M Family Care Center, Inc. in Cocoa, Florida.
The accused, a 25-year-old woman named Marlissa Qyera Rozier, was seen on surveillance footage lifting a child two to three feet off the ground and forcefully throwing her to the floor in a daycare room. The child, identified as Journ'i, reportedly started crying more than usual and complained of buttock pain to her parents.
Upon reviewing the surveillance footage, detectives observed the child playing happily with a toy before Rozier approached her, struck her on the head, and then lifted her again before tossing her to the floor. This resulted in the child hitting her head and body against the wall.
Journ'i's mother, Annie Smith, expressed her distress over the incident, stating that her daughter had described the abuse to her sister. Another teacher at the daycare mentioned hearing a thump and investigating the classroom, where Rozier claimed the child had fallen.
The Cocoa Police Department spokesperson, Yvonne Martinez, commended the daycare for taking appropriate action by terminating Rozier's employment. Martinez also mentioned that additional charges are expected as detectives have identified other victims in the classroom.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and proper supervision in childcare settings to ensure the safety and well-being of all children under their care.
