Latoya Gaines, a 48-year-old from Panama City, Florida, allegedly punched a 10-year-old girl in the face at a Bay County daycare on April 24 during a dispute over a single-occupant restroom. The incident escalated when Gaines demanded the girl exit for her own daughter to use it. Gaines faces a felony child abuse charge and is scheduled for arraignment on June 11.
On April 24, Latoya Gaines arrived at a Bay County daycare to pick up her 5-year-old daughter and another child. She became involved in an altercation with a 10-year-old girl using a single-occupant restroom, according to an arrest affidavit. Gaines demanded the girl exit so she could use it with her daughter, but the victim asked her to wait her turn, leading to the escalation. Police say Gaines intentionally struck the girl in the face with a closed fist, causing visible bruising around her eye, before leaving on foot with her daughters. Witnesses corroborated the incident after the victim's mother reported it. Officers tried to contact Gaines at her residence but found her absent; she later admitted over the phone to the altercation, per the affidavit. The victim's mother chose to pursue charges. Gaines, now out on bond, faces a felony child abuse charge. A Facebook account in her name posted on April 29 denying the allegations, stating in all caps that it was a 'bold face Lie' and that those who know her would believe her innocence. She is due to be arraigned in Bay County on June 11. The daycare did not respond to requests for comment.