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By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

MONTEVALLO – Two former Montevallo daycare employees have been indicted on charges of child abuse in relation to incidents that happened in early 2024.

Tanya Lapsley, 57, of Marion, has been indicted on two counts of aggravated child abuse and three counts of willful child abuse. Lapsley was booked into the Shelby County Jail on Jan. 15 on a total bond of $255,000. Lapsley was subsequently released on bail on Jan. 16.

Wanda Henderson, 64, of Pleasant Grove, has been indicted on six counts of willful child abuse. Henderson was booked into the Shelby County Jail on Jan. 15 on a $90,000 bond before being released on bail later that day.

Both women were employees of Milestone Academy and Daycare and were arrested by the Montevallo Police Department in April 2024. The MPD previously launched an investigation after they received a complaint on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024 of alleged child abuse at the daycare. This investigation led to the arrests of Henderson and Lapsley.

According to court records, the original incident occurred on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024 where the Henderson allegedly “forcibly jerked, pulled, snatched, slung the 2-year-old victim around causing bruises and marks while having custody of her inside her daycare facility.” On the same day, Lapsley allegedly “forcibly pulled, jerked, snatched and tugged at the victim leaving marks and bruises” while caring for the victim inside a daycare.

Court indictments reveal additional incidents occurring on January 29, 2024 and Feb. 2, 2024. Due to redactions in court documents, it is unclear if these incidents involved multiple children.