Leaving a child at daycare for the first time is an emotional milestone—but for 1-year-old Clay Weeks, it turned into a nightmare. On his first day at Little Blessings Child Care in Bainbridge, Georgia, Clay was picked up by his father, Cory Weeks, a U.S. Marine, with his face covered in cuts, bruises, and severe swelling. Staff initially blamed another child with a toy, but surveillance footage revealed the horrifying truth: 54-year-old daycare worker Yvette Thurston had assaulted Clay.

Thurston now faces three counts of first-degree child abuse and one count of first-degree aggravated battery. She was released on a $44,000 bond and fired from the daycare.

Cory shared their story on Facebook, posting graphic photos and urging parents not to ignore unexplained injuries or trust superficial reassurances. The family had even received cheerful photos from the daycare that same day, masking the abuse.

Clay was treated at Memorial Hospital, and the investigation is ongoing. Cory has vowed justice, hoping no other parent endures what they have. It’s a haunting reminder that trust must be earned—and verified.