Unannounced daycare inspection at Bristol facility leads to criminal charges
Incidents at a local daycare investigated and confirmed by state social service inspectors last month have resulted in criminal charges against one of its workers.
Felicia Ann Martin, 44, of Meadowview was arrested at the regional jail in Abingdon and served with outstanding warrants for charges of simple assault and contributing to the delinquency or abuse of a child. Martin was released after posting a $5,000 bond.
The charges stem from an unannounced inspection at Victory Children’s Care on Island Road in Bristol, Virginia following a complaint filed to state offices. Martin is identified as an assistant director of childcare at that center in previous documents.
The comments from a state inspector dated March 6th said a worker was seen spanking and roughly handling a child, force feeding them soup by holding their head and neck, ordering them to perform jumping jacks and forcefully grabbing the child’s face at a learning station.
The record of the March 6 incidents and violations was obtained through a searchable database located on the Virginia Department of Social Services website. A report from Sheriff Blake Andis’ office did not identify the daycare facility and a department spokesperson said they would not identify the center due to the ongoing investigation.
(PHOTO: Property of Washington County, Virginia Sheriff’s Office)
