News Summary
A daycare worker, Shate Lashundra Middleton, has been charged after failing to intervene during a prolonged assault between four-year-old students at GLEAMNS Head Start daycare. Video footage revealed two children attacking their peers while staff failed to act, citing an administrative policy against physical contact. Middleton faces two counts of unlawful conduct toward a child. The investigation is ongoing, and community concerns over child safety and staff intervention policies have been raised in light of this incident.
McCormick – A daycare worker has been charged after failing to intervene during an assault between four-year-old students at a local childcare facility. Shate Lashundra Middleton, 46, has been arrested and faces two counts of unlawful conduct toward a child, according to the Greenwood Police Department.
The incident occurred at the GLEAMNS Head Start daycare on January 20, where video footage revealed a disturbing scene. Two four-year-old students repeatedly attacked two other children over a span of approximately two hours. The aggressors struck their peers in the face using hands and pencils, pushed them to the ground, and kicked and stomped on them. Despite being present in the classroom throughout the two-hour ordeal, Middleton and another staff member did not physically intervene to stop the assault.
Police reports indicate that both employees attempted to verbally instruct the children to stop fighting. However, they cited an administrative policy against physical contact with students as a reason for their lack of action during the incident. The South Carolina Department of Social Services notified law enforcement about the situation on January 23, leading to Middleton’s arrest the following day. Although the assaults were severe, neither child involved sustained serious injuries.
The identity of the other daycare employee present during the incident has not been disclosed, and there is currently no information available regarding why that individual has not been charged. Police efforts to reach the parents of the children involved have only successfully made contact with one family, suggesting the investigation is still ongoing.
GLEAMNS Head Start daycare is known for its high standards and has frequently received top ratings from inspections in Greenwood County. Recent reviews of the facility confirmed no violations in the last three inspections, and the only complaints on record are linked to this unfortunate incident. The daycare has built a reputation for providing quality early childhood education and care, making the occurrence of such an event particularly shocking to parents and community members.
In light of this situation, there have been calls for greater accountability and review of policies regarding staff intervention in cases of violence among students. Many parents express concern over the safety of their children, prompting discussions regarding the adequacy of existing policies in safeguarding young children in the care of daycare providers.
As the investigation continues, the community and parents of students at the GLEAMNS Head Start daycare are awaiting further findings and the potential for any changes to policies ensuring student safety in the future. The incident raises important questions about the balance between administrative policies and the physical safety of children, especially in situations involving aggressive behavior among young students.
Officials remain focused on assessing the implications of the incident, evaluating both the actions taken during the assault and the compliance of the daycare staff with outlined protocols. This incident serves as a critical reminder of the responsibilities childcare workers hold and the importance of immediate and effective intervention in protecting children from harm.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- WYFF4 News
- Wikipedia: Child Care
- WSPA News
- Google Search: Child Assault Daycare
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child Care
