LAKE CITY, Fla. – A Lake City daycare worker is facing a felony charge after surveillance footage captured multiple instances of alleged abuse involving an infant in her care, according to her arrest report.
Alyssa Thompson, 30, of Lake City, was arrested Monday, and charged with aggravated child abuse.
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(Content warning - The report contains graphic details about alleged child abuse.)
Investigators say the abuse occurred at Wee Care Too, a daycare on NW Gwen Lake Ave in Lake City. According to the arrest report, the incidents came to light on April 20, after an infant in the facility’s care suffered a medical episode involving seizures, lethargy and fever.
Police say the infant was transported to HCA Florida Lake City Hospital, where she began having seizures, and was then transferred to a pediatrics hospital in Gainesville. The daycare’s director reviewed security surveillance footage after the incident and alerted patrol officers to what she observed.
What police say the surveillance footage showed
After obtaining footage from the week prior to the incident, a detective reviewed recordings from April 20 and April 13.
On April 20, the detectives said he observed Thompson forcefully toss the infant into a bouncy chair, causing the baby’s head to strike a metal bar. About 20 minutes later, the detective wrote, Thompson “snatched” the infant from a crib and dropped her onto a changing table from a significant height, causing the baby’s head to bounce off the table multiple times.
“After Alyssa finishes changing [the infant] and when she picks her up off of the table [she] appears to be limp and not moving,” the arrest report states. “She seems to notice something is wrong and runs out of the room seeking help.”
Footage from April 13 showed additional incidents, according to the report.
The report further states that Thompson was observed hitting the back of a seat the baby was placed in, shaking the infant’s arm “very hard,” smacking and hitting the baby’s legs, and kicking the seat with the bottom of her foot in apparent attempts to get the infant’s attention or a response.
Severe injuries, possible lifelong impact, according to report
A doctor identified in the report as Medical Director of the Child Protective Team and the emergency room doctor at the Gainesville pediatrics hospital, told investigators the infant sustained a skull fracture, detached retinas, bleeding behind the eyes and significant bleeding on the brain.
The doctor reviewed the surveillance footage provided by investigators and determined the physical abuse over the period of time documented was the cause of the infant’s injuries, according to the report.
“It is a very strong possibility that [the infant] will have lifelong medical issues stemming from these instances,” the arrest report notes, citing the doctor.
As of May 4, 2026 — the date of Thompson’s arrest — the infant remained in the pediatric intensive care unit receiving medical care.
Thompson is being held without bond.
Daycare issues statement
Wee Care Too issued a statement on Facebook following Thompson’s arrest, saying that she is no longer employed.
The daycare said she had been with the daycare for three months and added that part of the hiring process included a background check. Wee Care, Too, said it contacted Thompson’s previous employer, which gave a “very strong recommendation” and confirmed seven years of experience at the daycare.
“Out of respect for the ongoing investigation, we are limited in what we can share publicly, but please know this: we are here, we are listening, and we are committed to doing what is right--for your children and for our community,” the daycare wrote.