A daycare worker in West Melbourne, Florida, faces multiple misdemeanor charges after police say she repeatedly struck young children with a metal stapler and other objects.
Latasha Mullings, 41, was arrested on Friday and booked into the Brevard County Jail on 11 counts of misdemeanor battery and one count of misdemeanor assault with intent to do violence. She has since posted a $37,000 bond, with her next court date set for June 23. The investigation started on May 27 after the director at Mustard Seed Kidz contacted authorities following a parent complaint. Review of classroom camera footage from May 19 to May 26 reportedly showed Mullings hitting five children aged 2 to 4 on 11 occasions, causing visible pain. Police described incidents including flicking students in the face, striking them on the head with a metal stapler, and throwing a shoe. Mullings was confronted by the director, fired from her position, and later quoted as saying her