A 31-year-old daycare employee is behind bars after Marion County sheriff’s deputies say surveillance video captured multiple acts of abuse inside a Summerfield childcare center.
Laura Flores, born May 8, 1994, was arrested Monday on three counts of child abuse following an investigation by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit.The investigation began Feb. 13 when Deputy Hammons responded to Bright Beginnings Learning Center at 14950 U.S. Highway 441 in Summerfield to assist the Department of Children and Families with a reported child injury. While on scene, the deputy reviewed classroom surveillance footage.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the video showed Flores forcefully picking up a child and throwing the child onto a mat.
Major Crimes detectives were notified and took over the case.As detectives continued reviewing footage, they reported seeing additional incidents involving two other children. Investigators said Flores was seen striking one child on the back of the head and kicking another child, causing the child to fall face-first onto the floor.In separate incidents captured on video, detectives said Flores struck a child in the abdomen, placed her foot on a child lying on the floor during nap time, and swaddled a child before slapping the child across the face.
Based on the investigation, Detective Coats arrested Flores on three counts of child abuse. She was transported to the Marion County Jail, where she is being held without bond.
The investigation remains ongoing.
