Shavonda Dailey — the driver of a southwest Atlanta day care van who police said left a toddler inside the vehicle for about two hours Monday — was granted a $15,000 bond during a Tuesday morning court hearing, Channel 2 Action News reported.

Online records showed Dailey remained in the Fulton County jail as of 7 p.m.

Atlanta police said Monday that a 2-year-old boy was discovered in a locked van outside the New Beginnings Learning Center on Sylvan Road at about 7:30 p.m., approximately two hours after his mother had reported him missing. The child was OK, but Dailey was arrested and charged with reckless conduct and cruelty to children.

Channel 2 reported that Dailey cried throughout her first appearance hearing in front of a Fulton County magistrate judge Tuesday morning.

The child’s grandmother, Delandra Evans, told Channel 2 on Monday that Dailey’s alleged actions were “careless.”

“I don’t know why the young lady forgot him, I don’t know,” Evans said. “This don’t make no sense to me.”

The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is investigating the incident, but the day care center remained open Tuesday, Channel 2 reported.

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Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com