Additional Coverage:
- Florida daycare worker ‘repeatedly smashed baby against crib’ in rage over text message (themirror.com)
A Florida daycare worker has been arrested on serious charges after allegedly injuring a three-month-old infant in her care. LaKayla Hamilton, 26, faces two counts of aggravated child abuse following accusations that she repeatedly slammed the baby into his crib in a fit of anger triggered by a text message.
The incident came to light on May 13 when Bay County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports from medical staff at HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital in Panama City. The baby was admitted with multiple severe injuries, including skull fractures, broken ribs, a broken leg, and extensive bruising on his head and face.
Investigators determined the injuries occurred while the infant was under Hamilton’s sole supervision at the daycare. Authorities confirmed the child arrived at the facility without any signs of injury, pointing to the abuse happening during Hamilton’s care.
Initially, Hamilton denied any knowledge of how the infant was hurt. However, during a subsequent interview, she admitted to “spazzing out” and violently slamming the baby into the crib multiple times. She also confessed to hitting him on a changing table, striking him with toys, squeezing, and shaking him in attempts to stop him from crying.
Disturbingly, Hamilton reportedly engaged in a similar abusive episode with the same infant the following day. She described the intensity of her rage, acknowledging that she could not recall exactly how many times she assaulted the child.
Authorities revealed Hamilton arrived at work already upset over personal matters, and a text message she received while caring for the infants appeared to escalate her anger. The specifics of the texts and her personal issues have not been disclosed.
Thanks to the quick actions of the child’s parents, who sought medical attention upon noticing the injuries, the baby survived what could have been fatal harm. Officials emphasized that without their intervention, the infant’s injuries might have led to death.
Hamilton was arrested on May 14 and is being held at Bay County Jail with a bond set at $210,000. The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming as more information becomes available.
Neither the daycare facility nor the hospital has issued statements regarding the incident. The community remains deeply concerned about the welfare of the infant and the circumstances that allowed such abuse to occur.