Gwinnett County

Former day care worker caught on camera injuring child, police say

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A 22-year-old former day care worker is being held without bond after authorities say she was caught on video abusing a child.

The incident happened at Legacy Academy for Children in Suwanee.

Police said surveillance video shows Alex Maddock wake a boy from a nap by nudging him with her foot several times, then pick him up by his arms.

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The boy had scratches that left marks on his skin.

"(She) came back, picked the child up again and took him to a bathroom, picking him up by the arms, inside of the arms, with her hands. It was apparent the marks were fingernail marks from picking the child up in that manner," Suwanee police Capt. Shane Edmisten said.

Police said Maddock did not talk to them and hired an attorney.

"The child was injured because she couldn't control her feelings," Edmisten said.

Maddock cried in court as the judge told her she was being held in jail.

Legacy Academy's owner sent the following statement:

"At Legacy Academy we are committed to providing the best care to our students and service to our families. We are deeply saddened that the actions of one of our part-time staff has caused so much distress to one of our families.

At the center we have a state of art security system in place with video surveillance in each classroom. This was how we were able to establish what had occurred. The teacher's employment was immediately terminated.

In keeping with our values and commitment to our students and families, this incident was reported by ourselves to both the family and to the Bright from the Start, our State governing body. We reported it as soon as we realized what had occurred and continue to fully cooperate.

We fully vet our staff with criminal background checks and reference verification. The teacher in question had a long background in childcare, had excellent references and was up to date on all required training.

We have a very dedicated team at the center who are all shocked and upset by this incident and will continue to focus on nurturing and educating the children in our care."