A Panama City woman has been sentenced to two years of probation after pleading no contest to striking a 10-year-old girl during an argument over a daycare bathroom.
Latoya Gaines, 48, entered the plea to child abuse on July 17 in Bay County court. Along with 24 months of probation, the judge ordered Gaines to complete 100 hours of public service work and undergo drug, alcohol, and mental health counseling.
Court records show her probation began on July 21.
The incident occurred on April 24 at a Bay County daycare facility, where Gaines had arrived to pick up her 5-year-old daughter and another child. According to an arrest affidavit, Gaines got into a dispute with the 10-year-old victim over a single-occupant restroom.
The affidavit states that Gaines “demanded” the child exit the restroom “so Gaines could use it with her child.” When “[the victim] requested Gaines wait her turn, at which point the altercation escalated,” the document says.
Police reported that Gaines intentionally hit the 10-year-old in the face with a closed fist, causing visible bruising around the child’s eye. Gaines then left the facility on foot with her two daughters.
Witnesses at the scene corroborated the victim’s account after the child’s mother reported the incident. Officers went to Gaines’ residence but were unable to find her.
When reached by phone, Gaines admitted to officers that she was involved in the “altercation inside the daycare.” The victim’s mother told police she wished to pursue charges.
On April 29, a Facebook account under the name Latoya Gaines posted a message claiming she was falsely accused.
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