In DeKalb County, three former childcare workers from Appletree Learning Center faced justice for mistreating children. The DeKalb County District Attorney's Office brought charges of cruelty against them.
Alexis Renee Swain, 28, Cori Chambers, 21, and Cassandra Artis Chambers, 56, faced charges related to child abuse. Swain admitted to 29 counts of cruelty, Cori Chambers to five, and Cassandra Chambers to one count of failing to report abuse. The case began after a parent noticed injuries on a child and surveillance footage showed Swain and Cori Chambers hitting and pushing children.
As outlined by the laws of Georgia, those who weave the tapestry of childcare are woven into the responsibility as "mandated reporters," an unyielding thread in the fabric of protection for the young. The charges pressed into the record stand testament to the experiences of 13 children, their ages spanning only from six months to three years. Cherretta Hull, 78, yet awaits to face her 19 counts, as her case continues to ferment within the judicial system, as reported by the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office
Cassandra Chambers was sentenced to 12 months of probation and 80 hours of community service. Cori Chambers received 10 years of probation, including 120 days of house arrest and 80 hours of community service. Alexis Renee Swain was sentenced to 10 years, with 5 years in prison. All three are banned from working with children, except their own.
DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston reflected upon the outcome with a measure of pride and dismay, saying, "The defendants in this case victimized some of DeKalb County's most precious residents, many of whom were too young to tell anyone about the abuse they endured," as outlined in a statement obtained by the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office. "I am proud of the hard work of my team to hold these defendants accountable for their reprehensible actions. However, we are stunned by the injustice of the sentence for Defendant Swain. We feel the sentence is far too short considering the long-term and continuing effects of the abuse these children and their families are suffering."
The case was handled by the Sexual Exploitation and Crimes Against Children Unit. Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Lauren Caldwell led the prosecution with help from Shannon Hodder, Waine Pinckney, and Yuzellie Garcia. Former DeKalb County Police Detective Monesha Hughes, now a District Attorney Investigator, led the initial investigation.
