Three daycare workers from Stone Mountain have entered guilty pleas in a troubling child abuse case that has been unfolding over the past two years. Yesterday, the employees from the Appletree Learning Center and Academy faced the consequences of their actions in a DeKalb County courtroom.
According to FOX 5 Atlanta, Alexis Renee Swain, 28, along with Cori Chambers, 21, and Cassandra Chambers, 56, all admitted to various degrees of involvement in the abuse and neglect of children in their care. Swain faced 29 counts of cruelty to children, while Corey Chambers contended with five similar charges. Cassandra Chambers was charged with failing to report suspected child abuse.
The case gained momentum following a complaint by a parent in June 2022 after discovering injuries to their child's face. This prompted authorities to examine surveillance footage, which, as Atlanta News First reported, depicted Swain hitting and shaking children, and even slamming them on the floor. Cori Chambers' actions were also captured on tape.
The repercussions for the defendants were decisive. Swain will serve 10 years, with five to be spent in custody. Cori Chambers received a sentence of 10 years of probation, including 120 days of house arrest and 80 hours of community service. Meanwhile, Cassandra Chambers will face 12 months of probation and 80 hours of community service. Furthermore, she has been barred from watching any children other than her own.
This case brings to light past complaints against the facility, which has a history of issues noted by state records. Previous state investigations had revealed both incomplete staff training and violations related to the licensed capacity of the daycare, as well as the adequacy of food safety for the children. A fourth defendant, 78-year-old Cherretta Hull, remains to have her case resolved.
