The former

director of a day care center in south Fayette County has been sentenced

to 60 days in jail for interfering with a police investigation into a

spanking incident there.

State Court

Judge Fletcher Sams also sentenced Simone Reddick to an additional 10

months' probation in court Wednesday morning. A jury convicted her last

week of obstruction of a police officer.

The employee

who performed the spanking Jeanette Brown, was sentenced to 12 months

probation for her jury conviction on a simple battery charge.

Judge Sams

also assessed $1,000 fines on both defendants and ordered them to perform

40 hours community service.

Reddick's attorney

told Sams she planned to appeal the case.

The incident

occurred at Early Stages Daycare and Academy Nov. 27. The victim, an 8-year-old

girl, was not injured by the spanking, but Fayette County Solicitor-General

Steve Harris decided to prosecute the cases based on the attempted cover-up.

During the

trials, three employees testified they heard the "pop" of the

spanking throughout the building.

Reddick and

Brown both denied the allegations.

Employees also

testified that Reddick coerced them into signing statements indicating

the spanking never took place.

Georgia child

care regulations forbid the use of corporal punishment. After the investigation

began, state child care licensing officials banned Reddick from being

at the center when children were present. No action was taken against

Brown because she was no longer employed by the center at the time, officials

said.

Before sentencing

Wednesday morning, Reddick's attorney asked Sams for leniency since she

lost her job because of the publicity the case has received. He also said

Reddick allowed investigators from the Fayette County Sheriff's Department

on the premises and did not keep them from talking to anyone during the

investigation.

But Sams said

he found it "impossible" to ignore the inconsistency of Reddick's

testimony compared to those of employees at the center.

Back

to News Home Page | Back

to the top of the page