Marion County deputies arrested a 31-year-old daycare worker on Monday after surveillance video allegedly showed her slapping, kicking, and throwing multiple children at Bright Beginnings Learning Center in Summerfield. She faces three counts of child abuse and was taken to the Marion County Jail, according to deputies.
Video Shows Multiple Incidents, Officials Say
Detectives say they went to the center on Feb. 13 after the Department of Children and Families received a report of a child injury. Once there, investigators reviewed classroom surveillance footage that officials say captured several alleged incidents. The video reportedly shows the worker forcefully picking up a child and throwing the child onto a mat, striking a child on the back of the head, kicking another child, and putting her foot on a child during nap time, among other actions, according to ClickOrlando.
Center Says It Cooperated
In a statement, Bright Beginnings said, "The individual is no longer employed at Bright Beginnings Learning Center," adding that staff "immediately reported the matter to the appropriate authorities" and provided full access to surveillance and documentation during the investigation. The center's statement was provided to ClickOrlando.
Arrest, Charges and Custody
Marion County deputies arrested 31-year-old Laura Flores on Monday. She faces three counts of child abuse in connection with the alleged incidents. Officials say she was booked into the Marion County Jail and was being held on a $15,000 bond, according to WCJB.
Local Context: Not The First Case
This is not the first time childcare-abuse allegations have surfaced in Marion County. In July 2025, an Ocala daycare worker was arrested after video and affidavits alleged mistreatment of six infants at a different facility, and DCF was notified in that case as well. That earlier investigation put a brighter spotlight on how childcare centers and regulators respond when the first warning signs come in, as reported by WESH.
How To Report And What To Expect
If you suspect child abuse in Florida, call 911 if a child is in immediate danger. You can then contact the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873 or file a report online through the Department of Children and Families' portal. The DCF hotline reviews reports and assigns investigators when allegations meet criteria set in state law, according to the Florida Department of Children and Families.
What’s Next
The Marion County Sheriff's Office says the investigation is still active and prosecutors will review the evidence to determine how the case will move forward. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the investigators. Authorities have not released the names or ages of the children involved, and the case remains under review, according to WCJB.
