A disturbing incident at an Inglewood daycare has ignited public outrage, sparked protests, and drawn scrutiny from law enforcement and state regulators. Video footage showing a daycare employee throwing a shoe at a 5-year-old girl with autism has raised serious questions about child safety, staff accountability, and oversight at early childhood education facilities. The incident, which occurred in January but only came to light weeks later, has left a family devastated and a community demanding justice, while authorities continue to investigate whether criminal charges are warranted.
The episode took place at the Destiny Development Center, located in the 4900 block of West 104th Street in Inglewood, California. According to investigators, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department was notified on February 4 after learning of what officials described as an alleged physical abuse incident involving a young child. By the time protesters gathered outside the daycare on Friday, anger had intensified, fueled by the video itself, the delay in reporting, and revelations about the facility’s past citations by state regulators.
The Incident and the Video That Sparked Outrage
The video at the center of the controversy was captured by a classroom security camera on January 9. Footage shows several adults inside the classroom, including a teacher who appears to focus her attention on a child seated some distance away. Moments later, the teacher removes what looks like a white sneaker from her foot and forcefully throws it across the room. The shoe strikes the child, a 5-year-old girl diagnosed with autism.
After the impact, the teacher walks over to the child and appears to comfort her. However, the reaction of the other adults in the room has drawn intense criticism. Two additional staff members are seen smiling, almost laughing, in the aftermath of the incident. None of the adults present reported the event at the time, according to the school’s director, and the incident remained undisclosed until weeks later.
The director of the Destiny Development Center has stated that all three adults involved were eventually fired. However, the child’s mother, Michelae Jones, has disputed the immediacy of that action. Speaking at a protest outside the facility, Jones said that not all of the teachers were terminated right away, and that her child continued to attend the school while staff members who allegedly abused and mocked her remained employed.
“My baby went to school with people who abused her and laughed for a week and a half before you fired them,” Jones said during the protest. She also expressed anguish over being told that the two staff members who appeared to laugh could not be charged, leaving her unable to press criminal charges against them. Jones has publicly called for all three women involved to be arrested and jailed.
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The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has confirmed that, as of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the case. Deputies noted that the child did not suffer serious physical injuries and that there are no additional victims reported at this time. Officials have emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing and that the school has been cooperative.
Response from the School, Authorities, and the Community
In the days following the public release of the video and news coverage of the incident, the Destiny Development Center became the focus of protests and demonstrations. Community activists, parents, and political leaders gathered outside the facility, demanding accountability and stronger protections for children, particularly those with disabilities who may be more vulnerable in educational settings.
The school’s director, Danielle Williams, addressed the situation through an apology statement shared on Instagram. In her message, Williams acknowledged the pain and anger felt by the child’s mother and the broader community. She emphasized her own identity as a mother and educator, stating that the actions seen in the video were inconsistent with the values and standards the school claims to uphold.
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Williams explained that during the hiring process and throughout the employee’s tenure, there had been no prior indications that the staff member would engage in abusive behavior. She noted that all employees are required to undergo training before beginning work, and that the school’s contracts explicitly outline various forms of abuse that must be reported immediately. According to Williams, the school followed required protocols once the incident came to light and has continued to cooperate with both law enforcement and state investigators.
“We do not agree with the actions of the teachers,” Williams said in her statement. “We do not stand for abuse and neglect of a child of any kind.” She added that the incident does not define the Destiny Development Center or the work she says she has spent 15 years building.
Despite these assurances, many in the community remain unconvinced. Protesters have questioned how an incident of this nature could occur in a classroom with multiple adults present, why none of them reported it, and why the matter was not immediately brought to the attention of authorities or the child’s family. The visible reactions of the other staff members in the video have been a particular point of contention, with critics arguing that laughter or amusement in the face of a child being harmed reflects a deeper cultural problem within the facility.
Law enforcement officials have taken a cautious approach, noting that the absence of serious physical injury does not necessarily preclude criminal liability, but that any potential charges must meet legal standards. The involvement of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Special Victims Bureau underscores the seriousness with which the case is being treated.
Regulatory Scrutiny and a Troubling Compliance History
Beyond the immediate incident, the Destiny Development Center is now facing renewed scrutiny from state regulators. CBS Los Angeles reported that the California Department of Social Services has cited the facility eight times since 2021. These citations include a range of compliance issues, most notably an incident in February 2025 in which a child was reportedly left unattended on a bus.
According to state officials, that bus incident was not reported by the director until nearly two weeks after it occurred, despite typical requirements that such events be reported within 24 hours. The delayed reporting has raised further concerns about the facility’s internal oversight and adherence to mandated reporting laws designed to protect children.
In response to inquiries, the California Department of Social Services stated that it is currently conducting an investigation and cannot comment on ongoing cases. The department indicated that a full investigation report will be posted on its transparency website once the process is complete. Such reports often detail whether violations occurred, what corrective actions are required, and whether additional enforcement measures, such as fines or license restrictions, are warranted.
For advocates of children with disabilities, the case highlights broader systemic issues. Children with autism may have difficulty communicating distress or describing what has happened to them, making them particularly reliant on vigilant supervision and ethical conduct by caregivers. Incidents like this one can erode trust not only in a single facility but in the childcare system as a whole.
The ongoing investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, combined with the regulatory review by the state, will likely determine the next steps for the Destiny Development Center. Authorities have urged anyone with additional information related to the incident to contact the Sheriff’s Department’s Special Victims Bureau. As the process unfolds, the case continues to serve as a focal point for discussions about accountability, reporting requirements, and the standards expected of those entrusted with the care of young and vulnerable children.