BULLOCH COUNTY, Ga. () — A former day care employee pleaded guilty to aggravated battery and four counts of cruelty to children in the first degree on Tuesday, the Ogeechee Circuit District Attorney’s Office said.

Rachel Williams, who worked at Steps to the Future Day Care & Learning Center, was sentenced to 20 years, with eight being served in the state prison system and the remaining 12 on probation.

The incident, which occurred in April of 2024, left a sixth month old child with a skull fracture after Williams reportedly forced the child into a seated position and allowed the child to fall over and strike its head on the floor repeatedly.

Williams was also accused of slapping the child’s face, arm and leg and yanking the child by its wrist due to Williams’ reported frustration with the child’s inability to sit up independently.

Williams’ sentence includes that she is prohibited from seeking employment in the childcare field.