A preschool teacher in Homestead, Heather Williams, is facing a child abuse charge after allegations that she pushed a 3-year-old student and grabbed the child by the arm, police reported. Williams, who is employed at Smart Start of Homestead, appeared before Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mindy S. Glazer following her arrest yesterday. WSVN stated that the boy was left with visible bruises, according to police accounts.
Further details released indicate that the incident took place on a Monday at Smart Start, located at 630 Washington Ave. The victim's mother learned of the incident upon picking her son up from the daycare around 4:45 p.m., when he informed her about the teacher's, known to him as Ms. Heather, actions. The Homestead police corroborated these events and noted that the child's injury on the right forearm was, "consistent with having been grabbed," as described by the arrest report obtained by Local 10.
The case took a more complex turn when the victim's aunt, who works at the daycare, reported seeing the boy with an injury after she had dropped him off at Williams’ classroom. Williams, however, denied abusing the child and said she never grabbed his arm, instead claiming she assisted the boy by placing her hand under his armpit to help him get up. Yet, police expressed skepticism over her explanation and pointed out inconsistencies between her statement and the child’s injuries.
Following the incident, Williams was detained and, as of Tuesday morning, was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. She presently awaits a decision on her bond, which records had yet to list as set, according to a report, "her statement was not consistent with the injury the boy sustained and he was consistent in describing what occurred to his aunt, mother and to detectives." described Local 10.
