By Jeff Devine
Two former employees of a Daleville daycare were sentenced to prison today after admitting to abusing children in their care.
Kailey Gilley and Magan Koker, who worked at Happy Hearts Christian Academy Daycare, were both sentenced to five years in prison as part of a 20-year split sentence. After completing their prison terms, both will then serve 36 months on probation.
Gilley and Koker will be required to serve the full five years since neither will be eligible for parole or early release.
Dale County Circuit Judge William Filmore imposed the sentences following emotional testimony from parents of the children involved. The sentencing hearing took place over two days.
One mom told the court she felt overwhelming anger and heartbreak after viewing the surveillance video that investigators say showed both women striking her child. That child was later found to have bruising and swelling, injuries that led to a hospital visit and ultimately triggered the police investigation that resulted in the arrests of the two daycare workers.
Testimony during the sentencing hearing revealed that multiple children were mistreated at the facility, with one child suffering repeated abuse. An investigator detailed the scope of the incidents, while parents described lasting impacts on their children, including night terrors and struggles with adjusting to new childcare environments.
The daycare, Happy Hearts Christian Academy, is no longer open. The facility closed following the arrests and public outcry.
