Police: Daycare worker arrested for assaulting 16-month-old

SMYRNA, Ga. (FOX 5 Atlanta) - Police officers have arrested an employee of a daycare facility in Smyrna for allegedly assaulting a 16-month-old child when the child did not fall asleep.

Officials say 20-year-old Austell resident Jonee Hamilton was working for Oxford Babies, Inc. on the 800 block of Chruch Street when he took the child and "shoved their head into a mat" because the young toddler was not asleep.

"She takes the head of the child and slams it into the ground and she picks the kid up and slams her on the ground and causes a laceration on the lip and it bleeds everywhere," said Smyrna Police Officer Heather Knight.

The force of the violent act was strong enough to cut the inside of the child's lip, blooding their shirt, investigators said. Police said when the parents were contacted they took the baby to the doctor immediately. Fortunately, there were no signs of serious trauma.

"We have seen deaths from this kind of action, we're very lucky, the parents of the little girl are very lucky, this child this child did not lose her life," said Officer Hamilton.

The daycare facility fired Hamilton and gave police footage of the incident. After viewing the footage, officers arrested Hamilton. She's been charged with aggravated assault and 1st-degree cruelty to a child.

The owners of the daycare said Hamilton had only worked here for a few months. The daycare released a statement which reads in part, "The teacher was fired immediately. Prior to her being hired the teacher passed all background checks and had no prior history of improper behavior."

Officials are asking any who may have information that could help in the investigation to please call 770-434-6666.