Rule 591-1-1-.11(2) requires that Personnel not: physically or sexually abuse a child or engage or permit others to engage in sexually overt conduct in the presence of any child enrolled in the Center; inflict corporal/physical punishment upon a child; shake, jerk, pinch or handle a child roughly; verbally abuse or humiliate a child which includes, but is not limited to, the use of threats, profanity or belittling remarks about a child or his family; isolate a child in a dark room, closet or unsupervised area; use mechanical or physical restraints or device to discipline children; use medication to discipline or control children's behavior without written medical authorization issued by a licensed professional and given with the parent's written consent; restrict unreasonably a child from going to the bathroom; punish toileting accidents; force-feed a child or withhold feeding a child regularly scheduled meals and/or snacks; force or withhold naps; allow children to discipline or humiliate other children; or confine a child for disciplinary purposes to a swing, highchair, infant carrier, walker or jump seat.
During an investigation, it was determined that on October 23, 2025 and on October 30, 2025, a 4-year-old child was hit on the arm by a staff member as a form of discipline. On both dates, the 4-year-old child hit another child, then the staff member hit the 4-year-old child. After the incident on October 30, 2025, the child walked away from the staff member, holding their arm and crying. 2. Rule 591-1-1-.31(13) prohibits Center Staff from committing any criminal act, as defined under Georgia law, in the presence of any child enrolled in the Center and requires Center staff to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. During an investigation, it was determined that a staff member was arrested on December 21, 2025 and charged with three counts of cruelty to children. The arrest resulted from the staff member hitting a 4-year-old child on the arm on October 23, 2025 and on October 30, 2025 as a form of discipline.