Summerfield, Florida – On February 23, 2026, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrested Laura Flores, 31, after an investigation revealed she physically abused three children at Bright Beginnings Learning Center.

The case began on February 13, when MCSO Deputy Hammons responded to the daycare at 14950 U.S. Highway 441 to assist the Department of Children and Families following a reported child injury. Surveillance footage showed Flores forcefully picking up a child and throwing them onto a mat.

Further review of the video revealed additional abuse. Flores was seen striking a child on the back of the head, kicking another child who fell face-first onto the floor, hitting a child in the abdomen, placing her foot on a child during nap time, and swaddling a child before slapping them across the face.

Based on the investigation, Major Crimes Detective Coates arrested Flores. She was taken to Marion County Jail, where she is being held on a $15,000 bond.

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