3-month-old baby suffered injuries to the brain after a daycare employee hit him in the back, then began swinging and bouncing the baby aggressively until he became limp and unresponsive
Texas – In a disturbing case in Texas, a 24-year-old daycare teacher, identified as J. Collum, has been arrested and charged with a third-degree felony following an incident that left a 3-month-old baby boy with injuries to the brain due to her allegedly violent actions, which were captured on video surveillance.
On the evening of October 16, officers from the police department, along with Child Protective Services, began investigating a distressing situation involving a baby who exhibited “unusual lethargy” after spending the day at the daycare facility. Collum, an employee of the daycare, is now facing serious charges due to her actions that day.
According to the police report, the baby was dropped off at the daycare around 8:00 a.m. By 4:00 p.m., the child began to show signs of extreme lethargy, prompting the daycare to contact EMS. The decision was made to transport the baby to the hospital for immediate medical attention.
The subsequent investigation quickly turned towards Collum when disturbing footage was uncovered from the daycare’s surveillance system. Local media reported that the video showed Collum “swinging and bouncing” the baby “aggressively.” The force of the actions caused the baby to “flop around as though they were a rag doll.” This severe mishandling continued while the baby was placed in a bouncer, exacerbating the harm.
Further chilling details emerged from court documents. They described how Collum allegedly rocked the bouncer forcefully back and forth, and shook it with her feet until the baby toppled over. She then pulled the child up “by his head,” continuing her rough handling without pause. According to reports, Collum was also seen hitting the baby “roughly” on the back. She then placed him back in the bouncer, bouncing him with her foot until he appeared “limp and unresponsive.”
It was only after these violent acts that Collum reported the baby’s worrying condition to her employer, leading to the emergency medical response. The severity of the baby’s injuries pointed to a deliberate act, classified under Texas law as a third-degree felony injury to a child. This law covers actions where a person “intentionally or knowingly” causes harm.
As of the last update, Collum remains in custody at the county’s jail, held on a $125,000 bond. The case has shocked the community and highlighted the critical importance of surveillance and vigilant oversight in childcare environments. The incident at the daycare facility serves as a grave reminder of the responsibilities that come with the care of the youngest and most vulnerable.
This tragic event has left the local community reeling, prompting a broader discussion about the standards of care and regulatory oversight necessary to protect children in daycare settings. As the legal proceedings continue, many are calling for stricter controls and more rigorous training for daycare staff to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
