Day care employee accused of abusing baby, causing a skull fracture and brain bleed

LAKE CITY, Fla. (WCJB/Gray News) - A Florida day care worker is accused of abusing an infant, which resulted in the baby having to be hospitalized with serious injuries.

According to the Lake City Police Department, the investigation started on April 20 when officers responded to Wee Care Too for reports of an unresponsive infant.

The baby ended up having to be rushed to the hospital for an emergency procedure, where police said the medical team determined the child had suffered a skull fracture, brain bleeding and detached retinas.

As of Monday, the baby remained in the pediatric ICU.

The day care provided Lake City officers with surveillance video, which they say showed an employee, later identified as 30-year-old Alyssa Thompson, roughly handling the baby, including throwing and slamming the girl down multiple times, causing her to hit her head.

According to Thompson’s arrest report, a doctor determined the baby’s serious injuries were a result of her abuse after viewing the video.

Medical staff said it was likely that the baby would have lifelong issues as a result of the injuries sustained.

Thompson was booked into the Columbia County Jail on Monday on the charge of aggravated child abuse. She was also terminated from her position at the day care.

Representatives with Wee Care Too said Thompson had worked for them for three months and had completed all background and employment verifications.

The day care said they took immediate action when hearing about the situation, including Thompson’s removal and contacting law enforcement.

“We love and care deeply for every child entrusted to us. These are not just students to us. They are children we know, children we pray over, and children we are committed to protecting and nurturing with everything we have,” the day care team shared. “We are continually lifting the child involved and their family in prayer.”