A Hall County daycare worker was arrested Friday and a closure notice was issued for the child care center after multiple investigations into how a 16-month-old boy got burned last week.
Eddye Pittmon, 55, was charged with child cruelty following a weeklong investigation into the June 13 incident at Discovering Basics on Cleveland Highway, Hall County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Nicole Bailes said.
The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning issued an emergency closure notice because its investigation found that children attending the program were “in imminent danger,” according to a news release from spokesman Reg Griffin. The daycare has 48 hours to appeal the decision, but if there is no appeal, the center must close at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Griffin said.
According to the sheriff’s office, Damon Gaddis received second- and third-degree burns on his stomach and left leg while in Pittmon’s care. Pittmon put a topical ointment on the boy’s leg, but did not seek any medical treatment for him, Bailes said. The investigation revealed the boy’s burns went untreated until his mother picked him up eight hours later.
The incident remains under investigation. Pittmon, who is being held in the Hall County jail without bond, is scheduled to have her first court appearance at 11 a.m. Monday, Bailes said.
— Staff writer Daniel Wilco contributed to this report.
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