A teacher at a Buckhead preschool is disputing allegations of child abuse against her.
Felicia Lambert told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Monday that she resigned from Open Arms Lutheran Child Development Center a week ago, about two weeks after being informed of the accusations.
“I would never hurt a child,” Lambert said. “These are false accusations. I’ve never had anything like this happen before in my life.”
Barbara Collins, the preschool’s executive director, would not discuss the alleged abuse claims but confirmed an investigation.
Collins confirmed that Lambert was “no longer employed” at the school. She said she was preparing a more detailed statement and declined further comment.
Parent Stefany Sanders said her child described the teacher’s discipline methods as “bending the children's hands backwards until they cried, and very tightly squeezing their hands to hurt them if she thought they were misbehaving.”
Sanders said Collins contacted her May 8 and confirmed that an investigation was ongoing and that an investigator from Bright from the Start had visited the school May 4. Sanders said her child and two others were interviewed.
Lambert, who had worked at the preschool for 3½ years, said she babysat Sanders’ child in the family’s home in April. She said she has worked in child care for 22 years.
Reg Griffin, a spokesman for the state's Department of Early Care and Learning, said the agency is aware of and investigating the complaint.
Open Arms is in the 4000 block of Roswell Road.
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