Horry County Mother Sues Church Over Alleged Abuse by Daycare Worker
An Horry County mother, Sydney Moffitt, has filed a lawsuit against a Myrtle Beach church, alleging that her 4-year-old son, referred to as C.C. in the court documents, was subjected to abuse by a daycare worker within the church’s premises.
The Incident and Legal Recourse
On August 6, Moffitt filed the lawsuit against the First United Methodist Church. Within their church is the Child Development Ministry where a daycare worker, identified in the documents as 56-year-old Marsha Minges, was alleged to have abused C.C.
Documented in the lawsuit, the accused abuse was observed on May 30 by a physical therapist who was in the process of treating another child at the daycare. The physical therapist reported the alleged incident to the Department of Social Services (DSS) and local law enforcement.
Minges, as per the lawsuit, is shown in surveillance footage from the following day picking up C.C. by his arm three times and forcibly slamming his body into the ground. On June 5, arrest warrants were issued for Minges. She was apprehended without incident that same day.
The Charges and Accused’s Response
Minges is facing charges of unlawful neglect towards a child. Following her arrest, she was released from J Reuben Long Detention Center on a $10,000 bond.
Upon filing the lawsuit against the church, Moffitt is seeking damages, interest, and attorney fees. The lawsuit contends that if proper measures were taken by the Child Development Ministry Daycare, the physical and mental injury suffered by her son could have been prevented.
Previous Incidents
The lawsuit further alleges that there were previous complaints concerning Minges and her handling of the children under her care in her classroom.
However, these claims are still under investigation and full details are yet to be released.
Church Response
In response to these allegations and lawsuit, officials from the First United Methodist Church are yet to issue a statement.
The accused daycare worker, Marsha Minges, and her legal representation also haven’t publicly commented on the ongoing lawsuit.
Regardless, this case underlines the need for stricter rules and guidelines to safeguard the youth in daycare institutes, especially those that are part of religious congregations.
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