FROM THE 19TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE
Top Photo: These are mugshots for the three accused daycare workers from their original arrests.
A special grand jury was empaneled and presented with the facts pertaining to the recent occurrences of child abuse by three employees of a daycare program at Journey Church of Prattville.
The Prattville Police Department presented the findings from their investigation and the grand jury returned a total of 44 counts of child abuse and failure of mandatory reporters to disclose acts of child abuse.
On May 2, 2022, Susan Baker, Leah Livingston, and Alice Sorrells were each charged by Prattville Police Department with one count of child abuse and one count of failure of a mandatory reporter to disclose an act of child abuse. Autauga County District Judge Joy Booth set a total bond of $55,000 cash on the charges. The grand jury has found probable cause for the following:
Susan Baker: 13 counts of child abuse, 6 counts of failure to mandatory report (19 total)
Leah Livingston: 8 counts of child abuse, 5 counts of failure to mandatory report (13 total)
Alice Sorrells: 7 counts of child abuse, 5 counts of failure to mandatory report (12 total)
Child abuse is a class C felony and is defined in § 26-15-3 of the Alabama Code as the torture, willful abuse, cruel beating, or otherwise willfully maltreating any child under the age of 18 by a responsible person. Here, all the children were two years of age (or less), they were abused, and the defendants were assigned the responsibility of supervising the children at the time the offenses occurred. In addition to the multiple counts of child abuse, all defendants were charged with one count of failure of a mandatory reporter to disclose acts of child abuse.
Alabama Code § 26-14-3 specifically lists day care workers as having a duty to disclose any act of child abuse or neglect. In this case, for each instance when one defendant committed an act of child abuse and another defendant witnessed that act, that second defendant still had an affirmative duty under Alabama law to report the abuse they witnessed. None of these women reported a single act.
Chief Deputy District Attorney CJ Robinson praised law enforcement for their diligence and professionalism throughout the process. “The Prattville Police Department is to be commended for their conscientious dedication and hard work on this case as investigators worked tirelessly to uncover the truth. These indictments represent very serious offenses.
“And while we pray incidents like this do not occur, the sad reality is that is not always the case. I also want to thank the trainee who came forward and brought this abuse to light. When the public trust is betrayed, it is important we act as swiftly, but as thoroughly, as possible. Protecting and securing justice for our most vulnerable citizens, our children, has been at the forefront of this investigation.”
