Overview
- Surveillance footage from Jan. 16 at Destiny Development Center shows a caregiver remove her shoe and throw it, striking a 5-year-old girl described as having special needs.
- Two other employees were present in the classroom, did not intervene, and one appeared to laugh as the child cried.
- The center's director said an internal review led to the termination of the caregiver and the two staff who failed to report the incident.
- The child's mother says she was not allowed to view the surveillance video for more than two weeks, raising concerns about oversight and transparency.
- The director characterized the episode as a bad hire and said the facility conducts background checks and training, while the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department investigates.