A daycare worker hurled a shoe at a defenseless 5-year-old autistic girl, while two colleagues watched without intervening, shattering the sacred trust parents place in caregivers.
Story Snapshot
- Surveillance video captures shoe thrown at special-needs child on January 16, 2026, at Destiny Development Center in Inglewood, California.
- Three workers fired after video leaks; no immediate intervention or reporting by bystanders.
- Family demands criminal charges to bar abusers from future childcare roles.
- Sheriff’s Department investigates; state licensing notified amid public outrage.
Incident Unfolds in Classroom
On January 16, 2026, a worker at Destiny Development Center grabbed a shoe and threw it at a 5-year-old autistic girl during classroom disruption. The child cried from the impact. Two other staff members stood by without stopping the act or alerting authorities. Director Danielle Williams reviewed footage the next day after speaking with the girl. This betrayal exposed raw vulnerability in childcare settings where parents expect protection above all.
Video Surfaces and Swift Firings Follow
Family obtained the surveillance video in early February 2026 and released it publicly. Local media, including KTLA on February 4 and FOX 11 on February 5, aired the footage. Williams fired all three women immediately, calling it a “bad hire” unrepresentative of the center. She reported the incident to California’s state child care licensing program. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department launched a child abuse investigation that same week.
Family’s Fierce Demand for Justice
Aunt Kira Townsend voiced the family’s fury: “How do you see a kid be abused and not take action?” The mother and relatives seek criminal charges against the workers. They argue termination alone fails to protect other children, insisting on bans from childcare employment. This stance aligns with common sense accountability, prioritizing vulnerable kids over lenient second chances in roles demanding utmost responsibility.
Investigation Status and Uncertainties
As of February 5, 2026, the sheriff’s probe remains active with no confirmed arrests despite one media mention. Worker names stay unreleased. State licensing reviews the center for oversight lapses. Williams, with years in the field, defends her protocols but faces scrutiny over delayed external reporting. Facts support family outrage; bystander inaction demands consequences beyond job loss.
Inglewood parents now question daycare safety in this working-family hub. Short-term, the center risks enrollment plunge and legal bills. Long-term, this case pushes for mandatory reporting drills and camera checks, especially for special-needs protections. Broader scrutiny hits California’s childcare sector, echoing patterns of hidden abuses revealed by video.
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Day care worker throws shoe at 5-year-old girl in Inglewood
