Almost four years after a confrontation at a Grovetown daycare went viral, lawsuits and counterclaims between mother Kasey Brooks, St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church, daycare worker June Barrow and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah remain unsettled in court.
What she saw became central to her lawsuits: Barrow allegedly allowed a vacuum handle to strike Hatcher’s forehead, yanked him by the arm, held him between her legs, lifted him upside down by the ankles and spanked him several times. Brooks contends she was assured the program used only “time outs” and no physical punishment.
Barrow and the church deny wrongdoing, and police determined Barrow had not broken the law. Brooks, however, was charged with battery after she allegedly attacked Barrow from behind.
On Aug. 31, 2021, Brooks went to pick up her son Hatcher, then two years and three months old, from St. Teresa’s Mother’s Day Out program. Hatcher, who had significant developmental delays and was awaiting an autism diagnosis, had allegedly kicked Barrow. Brooks requested to see surveillance footage.
Video cited by Barrow shows Brooks striking, biting, and cursing at her in front of children; her shirt came off as another worker pulled her away. Criminal charges against Brooks were later dismissed after she completed anger management.
Lawsuits Filed
Barrow filed a civil lawsuit in October 2021 seeking damages for medical expenses, lost wages and pain. She alleged Brooks ambushed her in an empty classroom and argued Brooks never informed the daycare of Hatcher’s developmental delays, behavioral problems or violent tendencies. The case was referred to mediation in June 2024 and remains pending.
In August 2023, Brooks filed suit on behalf of herself and Hatcher against Barrow, St. Teresa and the Diocese, accusing them of battery, negligence and the failure to protect children.
Brooks’ case was dismissed without prejudice three months later but she was allowed to re-file a nearly identical complaint, which remains active, in February 2024.
Brooks’ refiled complaint
The new complaint filed by Brooks restates and expands allegations against Barrow and the church, claiming Hatcher was struck, yanked, lifted by the ankles, stepped on and spanked.
Brooks said she had informed staff about her son’s special needs, was assured the program was appropriate and later discovered church staff deleted or altered recordings and ignored parent complaints.
She seeks damages for battery, negligence, negligent hiring, vicarious liability, breach of contract and emotional distress.
The filing also emphasizes the church’s claim to follow Georgia’s Early Learning and Development Standards, which prohibit physical punishment and require autism accommodations.
Case in early stages
Barrow’s answer denies nearly every allegation and asserts multiple defenses. She also filed counterclaims accusing Brooks of defamation, abusive litigation and intentional infliction of emotional distress, alleging Brooks made false public statements that harmed her reputation and finances.
The case remains in early stages. The court has not ruled on Barrow’s motion to dismiss. In April, Chief Columbia County Superior Court Judge Sheryl Jolly granted a joint motion to extend discovery and stay proceedings while Brooks secures new counsel.
The latest filing came when Jolly last week granted Barrow’s motion to seal plaintiffs’ discovery responses.
