A former daycare teacher in Concord, North Carolina, has been sentenced to jail following a shocking incident that raised questions about childcare oversight.
Lashawna Williams, 42, admitted to using a hot glue gun to attach a 3-year-old child to a chair at Concord Academy on September 30, 2025, after the toddler refused to sit, authorities said.
The episode left the child with second-degree burns on the upper thighs.
Court records indicate that Williams delayed seeking medical attention for roughly seven hours.
The child’s parent informed school officials the following day, prompting Williams’ immediate removal from the classroom and subsequent termination.
Williams pleaded guilty to misdemeanor child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile in Cabarrus County District Court.
As part of a plea agreement, she received a 10-day jail sentence, six months of supervised probation, and 24 hours of community service.
The court also prohibited her from contacting the victim or the child’s family, according to WSPA.
The sentence has drawn criticism from childcare advocates, who argue it does not match the severity of the harm inflicted.
“If we can’t have a little bit of compassion, then we need to find another job,” Tara Robertson, a behavioral therapist with Eagles Will ABA Therapy, told WCNC. “We need better people in charge, and if you don’t like kids, don’t have patience, and don’t have compassion—don’t work in a daycare.”
Following the incident, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) formally cited Concord Academy.
Between June 2023 and February 2026, inspections found seven violations across 12 visits, including mislabeled or expired medication, missing medical documentation, insufficient CPR training, and chemicals accessible to children.
Four unannounced inspections since the hot glue incident have reported no additional violations.
Concord Academy released a statement emphasizing that the event was isolated.
“Upon notification by the child’s parent, the employee was immediately removed from the classroom and her employment was terminated,” said Frank Cantadore, head of school. “The safety and well-being of children in our care remain our highest priority. This was an isolated incident involving one individual who is no longer employed.”
The case has intensified calls for stricter oversight of daycare centers across North Carolina.
Advocates say facilities must implement rigorous staff training, enforce safety protocols, and respond quickly to incidents to prevent harm to children.
The episode echoes a previous tragedy nearly two years earlier, when a 9-month-old suffered severe burns from a bottle warmer at a different Concord daycare.
Parents and caregivers in the region continue to express concern about childcare standards.
Many have urged more stringent licensing requirements and closer monitoring of daycare staff to prevent similar incidents.
The Concord community’s response reflects broader debates nationwide about safeguarding young children in institutional settings.
Williams’ sentencing concludes the legal process, but the emotional impact on the child and family is likely to be long-lasting.
Authorities, school officials, and childcare advocates agree that this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance, training, and enforcement in protecting vulnerable children.
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