Georgia Day Care Worker Accused of Beating Toddler Gets Released on Bail [WATCH]

A Georgia day care worker accused of severely beating a 1-year-old boy was released on bail last month, sparking outrage and leading to threats against the judge who approved her bond, as reported by The New York Post.

Yvette Thurston, 54, was arrested on August 11 after authorities said she struck a child at Little Blessings Child Care in Bainbridge, located near the Florida border. She faces three counts of first-degree child abuse and one count of first-degree aggravated battery.

NEW: A daycare worker in Bainbridge, GA has been charged with first degree child abuse after a toddler was brutally beaten.

54-year-old Yvette Thurston is accused of beating the child at Little Blessings, a church daycare center.

She is facing charges of first-degree aggravated… pic.twitter.com/q9zIFl8ArE

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 17, 2025

On August 16, Thurston was granted release on a $44,000 bond by Chief Magistrate Judge Ann Marie Rose-Emmons. Following her decision, the judge received a wave of death threats.

Bainbridge day care worker charged with first-degree child abuse
A daycare worker was arrested earlier this week following a report of alleged child abuse at Little Blessings Child Care in Bainbridge, according to the City of Bainbridge Public Safety.

Yvette Thurston, 54, was… pic.twitter.com/U0NfcpeFpG

— Geepers808 (@GeepersNFT) August 17, 2025

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South Georgia Circuit District Attorney Joe Mulholland issued a statement condemning both child abuse and the threats directed at the judge.

“Our office will not tolerate abuse of the children in our community, who are entrusted to others for their safety while their parents work to make a living. Likewise, we will not tolerate threats against our judges, who are carrying out their sworn duty under the laws of the State of Georgia,” Mulholland said.

He continued, “Any individual who seeks to undermine the safety of our children or the integrity of our judicial system by making threats will be dealt with swiftly and harshly. The rule of law is the foundation of our community. Our judges deserve to perform their duties without fear for their safety. You may not like their decisions, but you don’t have the right to threaten them or their families. If you do, you will be prosecuted by my office to the full extent of the law.”

The case gained national attention after the child’s father, U.S. Marine Cory Weeks, posted photos of his injured son, Clay, on Facebook. The images showed the toddler with a swollen eye nearly shut, as well as multiple cuts and bruises across his face.

Yvette Thurston, a 54-year-old daycare worker, was arrested on August 11, 2025. Surveillance footage confirmed Thurston’s actions, contradicting initial claims from the daycare that another child caused the injuries with a plastic toy. https://t.co/BvkW9zV8eM

— William Sumner Scott (@WmSumnerScott) September 8, 2025

Weeks said he was initially told that another toddler had struck Clay with a plastic toy. However, surveillance footage later reviewed by the family allegedly showed Thurston hitting their child.

While expressing disappointment at Thurston’s release, Weeks voiced support for investigators handling the case.

“I am aware that the woman that did this is no longer behind bars. Honestly, I was told this would likely happen because that is how our justice system works. Of course my wife and I do not agree with this, but we don’t get to ultimately make that decision. It is important that we all allow the investigators and legal system to thoroughly complete their responsibilities to achieve the result WE ALL WANT,” Weeks wrote.

Weeks added that his son continues to undergo frequent medical evaluations and is recovering at home “surrounded with love.” The family’s older son, Wyatt, 3, also attended Little Blessings but was not harmed.

A 1-year-old baby beaten black and blue at a Georgia daycare. Surveillance footage exposed the truth.

The accused? Yvette Thurston, 54 — a lowlife monster who put her hands on a defenseless baby. She should rot in hell for what she did.

And who lets her walk free? Chief… https://t.co/3hBSS39ZNf

— Eli Evans (@elievans_untold) September 7, 2025

The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning issued an “emergency closure” for Little Blessings Child Care while the investigation continues.

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