In a disturbing case in Texas, a 24-year-old daycare teacher named J. Collum has been arrested and charged with a third-degree felony after an incident that left a 3-month-old baby boy with brain injuries as a result of her alleged violent actions, which were captured on video surveillance.
On the evening of October 16, police officers and Child Protective Services began investigating a distressing case involving a newborn who displayed “unusual lethargy” after spending the day at the daycare center. Collum, a childcare employee, is now facing significant charges for her actions that day.
According to the police report, the baby arrived to the daycare about 8:00 a.m. By 4:00 p.m., the youngster began to exhibit signs of acute lethargy, causing the daycare to call EMS. The decision was taken to take the baby to the hospital for immediate medical treatment.
When troubling video footage from the daycare’s surveillance system was discovered, the investigation rapidly focused on Collum. According to local media, the video captured Collum “swinging and bouncing” the baby “aggressively.”
The power of the actions caused the baby to “flop around as though they were a rag doll.” This terrible mistreatment persisted as the baby was placed in a bouncer, aggravating the trauma.
More terrifying revelations came from court filings. They claimed Collum violently rocked the bouncer back and forth and shook it with her foot until the infant fell over.
She then lifted the infant “by his head,” continuing her brutal treatment without interruption. According to accounts, Collum also smacked the baby “roughly” on the back. She then put him back in the bouncer and bounced him with her foot until he appeared “limp and unresponsive.”
Collum only reported the baby’s concerning health to her employer after these aggressive acts, which resulted in an emergency response. The severity of the baby’s injuries indicated a premeditated conduct, which Texas law classifies as a third-degree felony damage to a child. This law applies to actions in which a person “intentionally or knowingly” causes harm.
Collum remains in custody at the county jail, where he is being held on a $125,000 bond. The episode has startled the community and underlined the crucial role of surveillance and careful oversight in childcare settings.
The occurrence at the daycare facility serves as a sobering reminder of the obligations that come with caring for the youngest and most vulnerable.
This sad tragedy has left the local community in shock, triggering a broader discussion about the care standards and regulatory control required to protect children in childcare settings.
As the legal procedures continue, many people are advocating for tougher regulations and more rigorous training for daycare workers to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.