Woman faces charges in child's burns, state issues order involving daycare center

CLERMONT - A Talmo woman faced charges Friday afternoon related to a child's burn injuries late last week at a child care center near Clermont.<br /> <br /> According to the Hall County Sheriff's Office, Eddye Pittmon, 55, is charged with child cruelty in the first degree and was being held at the Hall County Jail with no bond.<br /> <br /> The charge is related to second and third degree burns on the left leg and stomach of 16-month-old Damon Gaddis at Discovering Basics on Cleveland Highway.<br /> <br /> "It was determined that Damon Gaddis received his injuries at the daycare on Friday the 13th, and actually received his injuries early that morning," Deputy Nicole Bailes said. <br /> <br /> "We were able to determine...that Damon spent approximately eight hours at the day care without receiving medical treatment from the staff there until his mother came and picked him up."<br /> <br /> Pittmon is expected to have her first court appearance Saturday morning, according to Bailes.<br /> <br /> "Miss Pittmon was the actual teacher for that age group inside the facility, so she was his (Gaddis') immediate teacher, under her immediate care inside the classroom. The charges are not necessarily that she maliciously or intentionally caused these injuries to Damon. It was the mere fact that the injuries occurred in her presence and/or in her immediate presence, and she failed to get him medical treatment," Bailes said.<br /> <br /> Bailes said the investigation is continuing. She said there is a possibility of future charges with other employees at the facility.<br /> <br /> The state of Georgia also made a move in the case Friday.<br /> <br /> Reg Griffin with the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) said Discovering Basics was issued an Order for Intended Emergency Closure Friday afternoon.<br /> <br /> "Emergency closures are used by the agency when it's determined that children attending a day care program are in imminent danger," said Griffin. <br /> <br /> "DECAL found violations of rules regarding the appropriate supervision of children at Discovering Basics, and it was deemed that the children attending the center are in imminent danger," Griffin added.<br /> <br /> Griffin said the daycare has 48 hours to appeal the decision. <br /> <br /> "Because this is happening on a Friday...they can remain open, if they appeal, through Tuesday at 4 p.m.," Griffin said.<br /> <br /> If center officials do appeal the order, Discovering Basics can remain open until a judge issues an order, according to Griffin. <br /> <br /> "If the judge upholds the decision of this agency, the center must close for 21 days while our investigation continues and any adverse action (license revocation, provisional license, fines, etc) is determined," Griffin said. <br /> <br /> Gainesville attorney Jim Walters is representing the owner of Discovering Basics. A phone message was left for Walters Friday evening.<br /> <br /> Parents were notified of the order Friday afternoon. Griffin said parents can get assistance finding childcare online (linked below) or by calling 1-877-ALL GA KIDS.

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