The owner of Magic Learning Academy School in Evans has complained to police that a former employee was sharing videos of children on social media, a violation of their policy.
No charges have been filed against the employee. But the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office confirms they also investigated complaints from the fired worker of child abuse at the day care on Jennings Road and found the accusations to be baseless.
In a July 31 report, owner Shelia McCladdie told authorities that she hired the former employee three weeks before. When the worker called out three times and claimed to be sick, she was fired.
When the ex-employee came to pick up her final check, she was acting aggressive and was told to wait outside for the check, the report says.
“Sheila stated the next day she began receiving calls from various parents from the children that attend her school, stating that they had seen on Facebook that (the former employee) was posting pictures of their children and staff inside the classrooms and also degrading her business,” the report says.
The school policy book states that no employee shall be allowed to photograph or video any staff or students without the parents’ permission.
Sheriff’s Maj. Steve Morris said Monday that the owner’s report did not constitute a criminal act. He also confirmed that allegations of child abuse against the day care were investigated and found to be unfounded.
A video posted to the worker’s TikTok account (hollywoodbarbie12) appears to show children wrestling and an employee working with a younger child on the ground. The same video was removed from Facebook after complaints to the social-media company.
