South Carolina Daycare Worker Investigated Over Social Media Photo
A makeshift daycare worker is under investigation after authorities say a 7-month-old in her care was photographed on SnapChat with a toe stuck in her mouth.
Gaffney police are investigating after a photo was posted on social media of a teenager sticking her toe in a baby’s mouth.
Police said they were contacted on Wednesday by the 7-month-old’s family regarding the incident that took place at a home on West Buford Street. According to police, the family takes the child to the home to be looked after while they are at work and on the day of the incident, a 15-year-old stopped by the house to visit the homeowner’s daughter.
“My grand baby means the world to me,” Robenae Dewberry said. She’s the 7-month-old’s grandmother. “When I saw the picture, it was heartbreaking, because he was an innocent little baby.”
Police said the photo was posted on social media.
Investigators are now looking to see that all regulations and requirements were being followed at the house and are in contact with the S.C. Department of Social Services and the city’s business licensing department.
“I didn’t believe it,” Dewberry said. “My daughter called me crying on the phone. That toe could’ve choked him and he could’ve died from that toe being in his mouth. Who knows how far it was back in his mouth!” she said.
Family members say the caregiver is well-known in the community and came highly recommended. They say she apologized for the incident and didn’t know anything about it until the baby’s mother showed her the picture.
Police said due to the alleged offender’s age, the case will be sent to the S.C. Department of Juvenile Justice for possible charges and resolution in Family Court.
