A 24-year-old childcare instructor named J. Collum was arrested and charged with a third-degree felony in a disturbing case in Texas after her allegedly violent actions, which were caught on camera, caused brain damage to a 3-month-old baby boy.
After spending the day at the daycare center, a baby showed “unusual lethargy.” On the evening of October 16, police officers and Child Protective Services began looking into a troubling situation. Because of what she did that day, Collum, a childcare employee, is currently facing significant accusations.
The police report states that the infant was dropped off at the daycare at approximately 8:00 a.m. When the youngster started to exhibit severe lethargy by 4:00 p.m., the daycare called emergency medical services. It was decided to take the infant to the hospital so that medical care could begin right away.
When distressing video from the daycare’s security system was discovered, the focus of the ensuing inquiry swiftly shifted on Collum. The footage shows Collum “swinging and bouncing” the baby “aggressively,” according to local media. The baby “flopped around as though they were a rag doll” due to the power of the moves. The injury was exacerbated when the infant was put in a bouncer and this serious mistreatment persisted.
Court records revealed further terrifying truths. They explained how Collum reportedly shook the bouncer with her feet and swayed it violently back and forth until the infant fell down. Then, without pausing, she continued to handle the boy roughly, pulling him up “by his head.” Collum was also reportedly observed striking the infant “roughly” on the back. After that, she put him back in the bouncer and used her foot to bounce him until he seemed “limp and unresponsive.”
Only after these violent acts did Collum inform her employer of the baby’s health, which prompted an immediate medical intervention. The baby’s severe injuries suggested willful conduct, which is a third-degree felony injury to a child in Texas. This statute applies to actions where someone “intentionally or knowingly” causes harm.
Collum is still being held at the county jail on a $125,000 bond as per the most recent update. The case has shaken the community and brought attention to how crucial it is for childcare facilities to have monitoring and close supervision. The event at the daycare center is a sobering reminder of the obligations associated with looking after the youngest and most defenseless members of society.
The local community is still in shock over this horrific incident, which has sparked a larger conversation about the care standards and regulatory monitoring required to safeguard kids in childcare facilities. In order to stop such tragedies from happening in the future, many are advocating for stronger restrictions and more thorough training for daycare employees as the legal proceedings continue.