A day care worker in Central Florida is facing child abuse charges after video allegedly showed her abusing children at the Bright Beginnings Learning Center in Summerfield.The victims, all 13 months old, were allegedly subjected to abuse by Laura Flores, a day care worker at the learning center in Marion County. The video, according to law enforcement, shows Flores grabbing a child by one arm, swinging the child, and hitting the child on the side of the head. In another instance, Flores allegedly struck a child on the back of the head, causing him to fall. Flores is also accused of using her foot to prevent a child from getting up, an action partially obscured by a table.Deputies are now looking through hours of video for more possible victims. ‘Very disturbing’Shantel Smith, whose grandson is an alleged victim, expressed her distress over the situation. “It was very disturbing … very disturbing to get that phone call. Not just for my grandson but for the other kids as well,” Smith said. “It’s heartbreaking for all the kids. If that’s what we saw.”A child came home from the learning center with bruises and abrasions on both cheeks, like he had been slapped. When questioned, Flores reportedly claimed the child fell off the piano. However, upon reviewing the video, deputies discovered two more victims. Learning center responds Joshua Henry has been operating Bright Beginnings for 15 years, according to state records. A LinkedIn profile lists him as the owner. He told WESH 2 that Flores received the state’s required 40 hours of training and is certified to work in early child care. But Henry says, she’ll never work at the learning center again.”We immediately reviewed the surveillance footage, terminated Ms. Flores’ employment that same morning and reported the matter in accordance with mandatory reporting requirements,” Henry said. “From the moment the concern was raised, Ms. Flores was not permitted to return to the classroom or the center.”ChargesFlores is facing three felony counts of child abuse and has bonded out of jail.Flores has not commented on the allegations, but Smith raised concerns about the lack of monitoring.”How do you get to three kids if there are cameras? Why is no one monitoring the cameras? That’s the purpose of cameras,” she said.The report suggests Flores may have felt the other children were taking time away from her own child, who was also in the day care.A review of the day care’s most recent inspections shows the facility was compliant in every category and on Feb. 6, had seven staff members for 47 children.A review of court records indicates this is the first arrest for Flores.

A day care worker in Central Florida is facing child abuse charges after video allegedly showed her abusing children at the Bright Beginnings Learning Center in Summerfield.

The victims, all 13 months old, were allegedly subjected to abuse by Laura Flores, a day care worker at the learning center in Marion County.

The video, according to law enforcement, shows Flores grabbing a child by one arm, swinging the child, and hitting the child on the side of the head.

In another instance, Flores allegedly struck a child on the back of the head, causing him to fall.

Flores is also accused of using her foot to prevent a child from getting up, an action partially obscured by a table.

Deputies are now looking through hours of video for more possible victims.

‘Very disturbing’

Shantel Smith, whose grandson is an alleged victim, expressed her distress over the situation.

“It was very disturbing … very disturbing to get that phone call. Not just for my grandson but for the other kids as well,” Smith said. “It’s heartbreaking for all the kids. If that’s what we saw.”

A child came home from the learning center with bruises and abrasions on both cheeks, like he had been slapped.

When questioned, Flores reportedly claimed the child fell off the piano. However, upon reviewing the video, deputies discovered two more victims.

Learning center responds

Joshua Henry has been operating Bright Beginnings for 15 years, according to state records. A LinkedIn profile lists him as the owner.

He told WESH 2 that Flores received the state’s required 40 hours of training and is certified to work in early child care.

But Henry says, she’ll never work at the learning center again.

“We immediately reviewed the surveillance footage, terminated Ms. Flores’ employment that same morning and reported the matter in accordance with mandatory reporting requirements,” Henry said. “From the moment the concern was raised, Ms. Flores was not permitted to return to the classroom or the center.”

Charges

Flores is facing three felony counts of child abuse and has bonded out of jail.

Flores has not commented on the allegations, but Smith raised concerns about the lack of monitoring.

“How do you get to three kids if there are cameras? Why is no one monitoring the cameras? That’s the purpose of cameras,” she said.

The report suggests Flores may have felt the other children were taking time away from her own child, who was also in the day care.

A review of the day care’s most recent inspections shows the facility was compliant in every category and on Feb. 6, had seven staff members for 47 children.

A review of court records indicates this is the first arrest for Flores.