PRICHARD, Ala. – A former day care worker at Lighthouse Academy in Prichard has been arrested and charged with child abuse after allegedly harming an 8-month-old infant, according to the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO).
Kia Baldwin (42) was taken into custody following an investigation that began when the baby’s family filed a complaint with Prichard Police and the Department of Human Services on February 19. After the family escalated their concerns to the MCSO on Tuesday, the case was taken over by the sheriff’s office.
Authorities say the incident occurred on February 18, but Baldwin did not report it until the following day. She initially told the day care director that the baby had put a rock in his mouth and she was trying to remove it.
However, surveillance footage revealed a different story. According to investigators, Baldwin was seen picking up the infant from the floor and violently throwing him into a crib. She then positioned herself to block the camera’s view, raising further concerns.
The baby reportedly suffered bruising on his neck, upper shoulder, and jawline, which authorities say appeared to be from a fingernail injury.
Baldwin, who had been responsible for caring for four infants, was immediately fired for both the incident and her failure to report it in a timely manner.
She was booked into Mobile County Metro Jail on one count of child abuse this morning and later released the same afternoon, jail records show.
Baldwin is scheduled to appear in court later this month as the investigation continues.
