DALEVILLE:
Two former daycare employees who pleaded guilty to multiple child abuse charges appeared in court Monday as testimony continued ahead of their upcoming sentencing.
Kailey Gilley and Magan Koker, former workers at Happy Hearts Christian Academy Daycare in Daleville, entered guilty pleas in October following an investigation into allegations of abuse involving several children. The pleas were entered as blind pleas, meaning no sentencing agreement was guaranteed.
During the hearing before Judge William Fillmore, parents and an investigator testified about the impact of the abuse. One mother described watching surveillance footage that investigators say shows both defendants striking her child. The child was later found to have bruising and swelling when picked up from the daycare, prompting a hospital referral and a police investigation.
An investigator testified that multiple children were mistreated, with one child reportedly suffering the most severe abuse. Parents told the court their children continue to experience emotional trauma, including night terrors and difficulty adjusting to new childcare environments. Several witnesses noted many of the children were too young to speak at the time and could not report what was happening.
Court records show Gilley admitted to 10 counts of child abuse, while Koker pleaded guilty to 12 counts. Under Alabama law, sentencing will be determined by the judge after hearing from victims, mental health professionals, and other witnesses.
Public records from the Alabama Department of Human Resources do not list an active daycare in Daleville operating under the Happy Hearts name, and the phone number associated with the facility is no longer in service.
Judge Fillmore is scheduled to hear additional testimony in early January before issuing sentences in the case.
