MAIDEN, N.C. – Four employees of a local childcare facility have been arrested and charged in connection with the alleged assault of a child earlier this month, authorities announced Wednesday.
The Catawba County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit launched an investigation after receiving a report on August 17 regarding an assault on a juvenile at the Childcare Network facility near Maiden. Investigators believe the incident occurred on August 14.
Gabrielle Cierra-Ann Dowdy, 25, of Hickory, a teacher at the facility at the time of the incident, was arrested on August 19. She faces charges of misdemeanor child abuse and assault on a child under 12. Dowdy was placed under an $11,000 secured bond.
The ongoing investigation led to further charges against three administrators and staff members for allegedly failing to notify law enforcement of the abuse.
Mialynn Diane McDole, 33, of Newton, the assistant director of the daycare during the incident, was arrested Tuesday. She faces charges of failure to report a crime against a juvenile and failure to report juvenile abuse. Her bond was set at $15,000 secured.
On Wednesday, deputies also charged Lindsey Blair Garner, 42, of Concord, the district manager for Childcare Network, and Jennifer Leigh Beal, 53, of Maiden, who worked as a teacher at the time. Both women face charges of failure to report a crime against a juvenile and failure to report juvenile abuse.
Garner received a $20,000 secured bond, while Beal received an $11,000 secured bond.
Sheriff’s officials stated that the investigation remains active.
