Toddler left in van for hours at daycare, 6 people charged
Six people have been charged in connection to a case involving a 2-year-old girl who was allegedly left in a van for six hours at a Georgia daycare.
The incident happened at Bright Achievers Pre-K Center in Austell after its owner, Melinda Hamilton, was accused of lying to a 2-year-old Zariyah Emily’s mother about how long tshe was in the van.
Austell is about 17 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta.
According to the incident report, an employee at the Bright Achievers Pre-K Center anonymously told police that Emily was left in a school vehicle “for an extended period of time,” and said the owner told employees not to talk with anyone about the incident.
According to an arrest warrant, police say the owner of the daycare, Melinda Hamilton, lied to the Emily’s mom about the incident. Police also accused Hamilton of not calling 911, and not taking Emily to a hospital or doctor.
Police say Hamilton also told the driver of the van not to tell anyone about the incident.
As a result of the investigation, the following people were charged in reference to this case:
- 59-year old Melinda Hamilton of Atlanta, Georgia, Owner of the Bright Achievers Pre-K Center, for False Statements, Tampering with Evidence and Reckless Conduct
- 49-year old Robin Horton of Powder Springs, Georgia, Director of the Bright Achievers Pre-K Center, for False Statements and Reckless Conduct
- 24-year old Dulce Lopez of Douglasville, Georgia, Assistant at the Bright Achievers Pre-K Center, for False Statements and Reckless Conduct
- 30-year old Jean Jeanty of Marietta, Georgia, Driver for the Bright Achievers Pre-K Center, for Reckless Conduct
- 44-year old Brenda Neal of Douglasville, Georgia Teacher at the Bright Achievers Pre-K Center, for False Statements
- 47-year old Clement Udotong of Austell, Georgia, Computer technician and owner of Clementronics, for Obstruction
The daycare’s attorney has filed appeal the closure to a judge with the State Office of Administrative Hearings (OSAH).
The daycare can remain open during the appeal process, but monitors with DECAL will be at the daycare every day during normal business hours, according to the spokesperson.
