A Florida daycare worker is out of a job and facing criminal charges after authorities say she repeatedly struck young children with objects, including a shoe and a metal stapler.
Latasha Mullings, 41, was arrested Friday and booked into the Brevard County Jail. She faces 11 counts of misdemeanor battery and one count of misdemeanor assault with intent to do violence. She has since posted a $37,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on June 23.
The investigation into Mullings began on May 27, according to a probable cause arrest affidavit, when the director of Mustard Seed Kidz in West Melbourne contacted police regarding a teacher assaulting students. The director’s call followed a complaint from a parent who accused Mullings of flicking a student in the face.
Following the complaint, a review of classroom camera footage from May 19 to May 26 revealed 11 separate incidents where Mullings allegedly struck five different students. Police noted that the victims, who are between 2 and 4 years old, showed “visible pain” during the encounters.
“The defendant could be seen flicking students in the face, striking students on the head with a metal stapler, and hitting students with unknown objects,” police wrote in the affidavit.
Investigators also stated that Mullings slapped one child three consecutive times with an open hand. In another instance, she allegedly threw a shoe at a student, missed, and then grabbed the child’s shirt to yell in their face.
Upon being confronted by the school director and subsequently fired, Mullings reportedly said, “my babies are gonna miss me.”
Following the incident, Mustard Seed Kidz released a statement to local CBS affiliate WKMG detailing their response:
“The safety and well-being of every child in our care is our highest priority. After receiving a parent complaint regarding alleged inappropriate conduct by a staff member, our administration immediately took action. The employee was removed from contact with children, and the matter was promptly reported by our school to law enforcement and the Florida Department of Children and Families.”
The facility added that they are fully cooperating with the active investigation, stating, “The reported behavior does not reflect the values, standards, or expectations of our preschool. We remain committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and secure environment for all children entrusted to our care. While we already maintain comprehensive policies, procedures, and training designed to ensure the safety and well-being of every child, we are using this opportunity to further review and strengthen our practices as part of our ongoing commitment to excellence.”
READ: Three Wheels And A Beard: Tricycle-Riding Suspect Busted In Florida Gnome Heist
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
