A Florida mother is facing felony child abuse charges after allegedly punching a 10-year-old girl in the face at a daycare facility, following a dispute over the use of a single-occupant restroom. The incident occurred on April 24, 2026, at a Bay County daycare facility in Panama City, when Latoya Gaines, 48, arrived to pick up her 5-year-old daughter and another child.
The Incident
According to an arrest affidavit, Gaines became involved in an altercation with the 10-year-old girl after the child was using the bathroom. Gaines reportedly demanded the girl exit the restroom so she could use it with her own child. When the 10-year-old asked her to wait her turn, the situation escalated.
Authorities allege that Gaines intentionally struck the child in the face with a closed fist, causing visible bruising around the girl’s eye. After the altercation, Gaines left the daycare facility with her two daughters on foot.
Witness Statements and Police Response
Witnesses at the daycare corroborated the victim’s account of the incident. The 10-year-old’s mother came forward to report the assault to authorities, prompting an investigation. Police attempted to contact Gaines at her home, but she was not present at the time.
When Gaines was later reached by phone, she allegedly admitted to being involved in the altercation at the daycare. Despite this, she denied the accusations publicly on social media, claiming that she was being falsely accused. In a post on Facebook, a profile matching her name from Panama City stated, “I’m sure there are some people that are gonna say negative stuff, but like I said, if you know me then you would say to yourself this is not true. It’s a bold-face lie.”
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Gaines is currently facing a felony charge of child abuse. She has been released on bond and is scheduled to appear for an arraignment in Bay County on June 11, 2026. The daycare facility where the incident took place has not responded to requests for comment regarding the altercation.
This case highlights concerns about how conflicts at daycare facilities can escalate and the legal consequences of actions that endanger children. As the legal process unfolds, Gaines’s public defense and the victim’s testimony will play a central role in the outcome.
