Video shows daycare worker throwing 15-month-old to the ground as judge considers lawsuit
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A Gwinnett County judge is reviewing whether a lawsuit against The Sunshine House daycare can proceed after video evidence showed a former employee violently throwing a 15-month-old boy to the ground.
The surveillance footage, recorded in January 2022 at the Sunshine House in Loganville, was played in court on Tuesday. The clip shows Christelle Bobich, a teacher at the time, grabbing and throwing the toddler during class.
“Her testimony was that she lost it, and the objective video evidence bears that out,” said Sunshine House attorney James Hankins.
Bobich has already pleaded guilty to criminal charges, but the court is now deciding whether the daycare company can also be held responsible.
The family’s attorney, Peter Ross, argued that Bobich lacked proper experience and training to handle seven toddlers at once. “Ms. Bobich only had four months at another daycare. She says she wasn’t even applying for a lead teacher position,” Ross said.
Sunshine House maintains that it followed all state requirements, including background checks and certification approvals by Georgia’s Department of Early Care and Learning.
In a previous interview, the victim’s parents, Matt and Mallory Stevens, said their son still suffers emotional trauma. “He doesn’t feel safe,” Mallory said.
The judge has not yet made a decision on whether the case will move to a jury trial but is expected to rule in the coming weeks.