A Concord daycare teacher who hot-glued a 3-year-old into a classroom seat last September has admitted to misdemeanor child abuse and now has a jail sentence on the books. On Wednesday, a judge ordered her to serve 10 days in jail and complete six months of community service; the child suffered burns to the thighs and required medical treatment.
According to Queen City News, court records identify the teacher as Lawshawna Williams. Those records show a second charge of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile was dismissed under a plea deal. The outlet reports the plea and sentencing both happened Wednesday in a Concord courtroom, and that Williams was arrested following the September incident.
A report from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services states that investigators concluded Williams intentionally hot-glued the 3-year-old into a seat on Sept. 20, 2025, causing burns to the child’s thighs. The same report notes that roughly seven hours passed before the child received medical care after the injury was discovered.
State Inspectors Found a Pattern of Problems
The agency’s file on the facility shows multiple licensing reviews of Concord Academy over more than two years. Queen City News reported that NCDHHS inspection records flagged violations on seven of 12 visits between June 2023 and February 2026. Inspectors cited issues that included mislabeled or expired medication, incomplete documentation, missing background checks, staff without CPR training, and chemicals stored within reach of children.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services formally cited the center, and its report says the agency carried out four unannounced follow-up visits after Sept. 2025 that found no violations. State officials still have authority to impose administrative penalties, require corrective plans, or limit operations depending on what future inspections show.
Legal Outcome and What Comes Next
Williams resolved the criminal case by pleading guilty to misdemeanor child abuse, a deal that brought a short jail term and community service instead of a felony trial. The state’s citation of Concord Academy is a separate matter from the criminal case and could lead to continued administrative oversight or additional conditions from NCDHHS, as the daycare remains on the agency’s licensing record.
