Murfreesboro teacher banned from children, all state daycares

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - WSMV4 uncovered the Tennessee Department of Human Services is banning a daycare worker from being around any child at any daycare. DHS and Murfreesboro Police are investigating potential “child mistreatment” at the hands of that teacher, which leaves families at the daycare worried.

Samantha Bryan used to love to watch a video of her daughter dancing with her favorite teacher at Lionheart Children’s Academy. Now that video concerns her as that teacher and the daycare are at the center of the child mistreatment investigation.

The teacher is accused of sexually abusing another child, which the child’s family told WSMV4 was caught on video.

On Tuesday, parents at Lionheart got a letter emailed to them by the daycare. It said:

“We were made aware of a story that ran on local television yesterday. Please know that it is not our place or policy to comment on a personnel matter or open investigation. As much as we desire for all the facts to be revealed, which we believe would ease any additional anxiety you may have because of these reports, we simply cannot. Still, our doors are always open to you as parents. Our teams are at the academy today and available to meet to address your concerns and answer your questions. We have always and will always put the safety of every student entrusted into our care first and maintain open communication with you as we are able.”

- Laramie Kitchel, Interim Academy Director

It’s a real worry for Bryan as her daughter was around the teacher every day until about two weeks ago.

“I want to know that my child was not involved,” said Bryan. “If she was do I need to take her to the doctor? Do I need to start any type of other therapy?”

WSMV4 also obtained a Child Care Agency Safety Plan by DHS. It reads the teacher is forbidden from being around the children and banned from Lionheart. Bryan has since pulled her daughter from the school and said Zoey began to act differently. She worries something might have happened to her daughter too.

“This said person is my daughter’s favorite person,” said Bryan. “And the daycare straight up lied to me and said my daughter had no relationship and was never around this person.”

Murfreesboro Police and the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services are investigating. Police said no arrests have been made at this point.

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