The Department of Early Care and Learning launched an investigation Thursday after receiving surveillance video from Channel 2 Action News of an alleged fight that broke out at a Henry County day care.
A parent said workers attacked him while he was holding his 1-year-old son. McDonough police said it is the parent who threw the first punch.
Police said surveillance video from inside the baby room of the McGarity School of Prep in McDonough shows the owner, Ericka Broadway, another worker and a parent hitting each other in a room full of babies.
Police said parent David Gray threw the first punch after he grew upset following a meeting about his oldest son getting suspended from the center.
"He was in such a rage when he went back there. The reason I say that is he walked by his own child a couple of times," said Detective Thomas Spangenberg of the Dec. 2012 incident.
Gray was arrested following the incident, but charges were recently dismissed.
According to a police report, Gray told investigators that the day care's owner, Broadway, struck him first and would not allow him or his children to leave the property.
"We are very concerned about the kids at that day care for their safety," said Darryl Scott, who is David Gray's attorney.
Gray wants the state to investigate the day care workers and the facility.
Broadway told Channel 2's Rachel Stockman she was just defending herself after Gray slapped her.
Broadway said Gray was acting very aggressively and she was fearful for the other children in the day care.
"We have no records indicating that this alleged incident at McGarity School of Prep, at 1285 McGarity Road in McDonough, Georgia, was ever reported to our agency by the provider, the parent or local authorities. As a result of receiving this video from December 13, 2012, we are opening an investigation into the incident," said Reg Griffin, Chief Communications Officer for Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL), in a statement.
"Concerned parents wishing to seek alternative quality child care can visit www.allgakids.org or call the toll-free number 1-877-ALL GA KIDS. DECAL provides this free service to parents. At DECAL, our top priority is the health and safety of our state's young learners, ages birth to five years old," the statement said.
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