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Inset: Latoya Gaines (Bay County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The area outside the Florida daycare where Latoya Gaines allegedly punched a 10-year-old girl in the face during a dispute over a bathroom (Google Map).
Authorities in Florida have charged a mother with assaulting a 10-year-old girl over a bathroom dispute at a daycare, believing the child was monopolizing the restroom needed for her own daughter. The incident unfolded in Panama City, involving Latoya Gaines, 48, according to law enforcement reports.
On April 24, Gaines arrived at a Bay County daycare center intending to collect her 5-year-old and another child. A disagreement erupted over access to a single-occupancy restroom, as detailed in the arrest affidavit. Gaines reportedly became confrontational with the young girl over using the facility.
The affidavit states that Gaines insisted the child vacate the restroom for her daughter’s use. When the child asked Gaines to wait her turn, the situation quickly intensified.
According to police, Gaines allegedly struck the 10-year-old in the face with a closed fist, resulting in noticeable bruising around the girl’s eye. After the assault, Gaines departed the scene on foot with her children.
Witnesses at the daycare substantiated the events described by the victim’s mother, who reported the incident. When officers attempted to contact Gaines at her home, she was not present, as noted in the affidavit.
Gaines was reached over the phone and she allegedly admitted to being involved in the “altercation inside the daycare,” per the affidavit. “[The victim’s mother] advised she wished to pursue charges,” the document says.
A Facebook account with the name Latoya Gaines, from Panama City, wrote on April 29 that Gaines was innocent and being falsely accused.
“Everyone in this lil city where everyone knows everyone buisness [sic]….Did anyone stop & think about what was said & thought this is not the Latoya Gaines I know,” the account wrote in all caps. “Because if you know me you would know without a doubt I did not do this…. I’m sure their [sic] are some people that are gonna say negative stuff cause that’s what sone [sic] people would think but like I’ve I said if you know me then you would say to yourself this is not true It’s a bold face Lie.”
Gaines is facing a felony charge of child abuse. She is out on bond and due to be arraigned in Bay County on June 11.
The daycare did not respond to Law&Crime’s requests for comment on Monday.