LOGANVILLE, GA – A day care center in suburban Atlanta faces possible trial proceedings after a worker was recorded on security footage violently handling a toddler, prompting a lawsuit from the child’s family.
The incident, which unfolded in January 2022 at Sunshine House in Loganville, involved the parents of a 15-month-old boy leaving their son in the care of staff while they went to work. Surveillance video later captured an employee, Christelle Bobich, forcefully picking up the child and throwing him to the floor, according to evidence presented in a Gwinnett County courtroom on Tuesday.
Bobich, who was responsible for supervising several toddlers at the time, has since pleaded guilty to criminal charges related to the incident. She no longer works at the day care facility.
The parents, Mallory and Matt Stevens, have filed a civil complaint against Sunshine House, alleging the center carries responsibility for the trauma endured by their son. The lawsuit contends that the facility was negligent in its hiring and oversight practices, suggesting that signs which could have averted the incident were missed.
Attorneys representing Sunshine House pushed back in court, emphasizing that the center followed all required protocols during Bobich’s hiring process. Defense counsel argued that Bobich had cleared a state-mandated background check and was approved by Georgia’s Department of Early Care and Learning to work with young children. The facility’s lawyers contend the actions that day were solely those of Bobich, asserting that she acted outside her training and unexpectedly lost control.
The center’s legal representatives pointed to Bobich’s own testimony, in which she admitted to losing her composure, highlighting that the video evidence is consistent with a single, unpredicted lapse rather than ongoing negligence by the employer.
However, the family’s lawyer argued that Bobich’s limited work history in child care, with only four months of prior experience in another facility, should have signaled potential issues. He noted that Bobich had not even been aiming for a lead role, raising questions about her preparedness and the center’s oversight.
The plaintiffs are seeking punitive damages, arguing that the behavior captured in the footage and the hiring decisions involved indicate a higher level of negligence. Their attorney maintains the case presents “egregious facts” warranting further review by a jury.
At Tuesday’s hearing, both sides presented their arguments as the court determines whether the case should proceed to trial. As of now, the judge has not issued a ruling on whether those next steps will be taken.
No timeline has been given for when a decision will be announced regarding the lawsuit’s progression. The day care center continues to operate under its current management as the legal process unfolds.