San Antonio, Texas, January 9, 2026
Veronica Jimenez, a 50-year-old former daycare employee, was arrested and charged with injury to a child after surveillance footage showed her forcefully grabbing a child, resulting in an injury. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about child safety in daycare facilities as increasing reports of abuse surface across the United States.
San Antonio, Texas
Former Daycare Employee Arrested for Child Injury
Veronica Jimenez, 50, a former employee at a daycare facility in north Bexar County, was arrested on January 7, 2026, and charged with injury to a child—reckless bodily injury, a state jail felony.
The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation after reviewing surveillance footage from inside a classroom at the daycare. The video depicted Jimenez forcefully grabbing a child by the arm, causing the child to strike their head on classroom furniture and fall to the floor. The child was subsequently medically evaluated for a head injury. Following the incident, the daycare’s management terminated Jimenez and contacted authorities. During an interview, investigators found Jimenez’s account of the event to be inconsistent with the video evidence. She was arrested and booked into the Bexar County Adult Detention Center on the aforementioned charge. The specific location of the daycare facility has not been disclosed.
Recent Incidents of Child Abuse in Daycare Settings
In recent months, several daycare workers across the United States have faced legal actions due to alleged child abuse incidents:
- Ocala, Florida (July 2025): Karla L. Penalverty-Gonzalez, 33, was arrested for allegedly abusing six infants at All Star Learning Academy. The abuse included rough handling, forced feeding, violent shaking, and near suffocation. A video recording corroborated the claims.
- Miami, Florida (December 2024): Merlin Gutiérrez, 21, was arrested after surveillance footage showed him physically assaulting a two-year-old girl at Lincoln-Martà daycare-school. The incident involved holding, shaking, dragging, and repeatedly slapping the child.
- Hialeah, Florida (October 2025): Rosa Alcala, 52, was arrested after surveillance video captured her hitting a three-year-old child while changing his diaper at a Hialeah daycare. The child sustained a mark on his left thigh from the incident.
- Oviedo, Florida (June 2025): Lucia Moniri, 58, was arrested on a child abuse charge after surveillance footage showed her grabbing a child’s face and hitting him with an open hand at Oviedo Christian Academy. The child had scratches on his face following the incident.
- Sharpsburg, Georgia (March 2025): Samantha Hertzog, 33, was arrested for allegedly slamming a three-year-old onto a cot at Big Blue Marble Academy. Surveillance footage showed Hertzog kicking the child’s cot before forcefully placing the child back onto it.
- Aiken, South Carolina (June 2025): Raven Tyler, 25, was arrested after being accused of child abuse at Sunshine House daycare. The incident involved forcefully jerking a child by the arm, causing the child to complain of pain and discomfort.
- Talladega, Alabama (January 2025): The Alabama Department of Human Resources revoked the license of Precious Vessels Learning Center after workers were seen on surveillance video physically punishing children. The daycare was closed permanently.
Background on Child Abuse in Daycare Settings
Child abuse in daycare settings is a serious concern that has led to increased scrutiny and legal actions across the United States. Incidents often come to light through surveillance footage, reports from concerned parents, or investigations by authorities. In response to such incidents, daycare facilities are typically required to terminate the involved employees and cooperate with law enforcement agencies. The revocation of daycare licenses, as seen in Talladega, Alabama, serves as a measure to protect children and ensure the safety of childcare environments. These cases highlight the importance of vigilant monitoring and prompt reporting to prevent and address abuse in childcare settings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What charges was Veronica Jimenez arrested on?
Veronica Jimenez, 50, was arrested on January 7, 2026, and charged with injury to a child—reckless bodily injury, a state jail felony.
What did the surveillance footage show?
The surveillance footage depicted Jimenez forcefully grabbing a child by the arm, causing the child to strike their head on classroom furniture and fall to the floor.
What was the daycare’s response to the incident?
Following the incident, the daycare’s management terminated Jimenez and contacted authorities.
What other recent incidents of child abuse in daycare settings have occurred?
Recent incidents include arrests in Ocala, Florida, Miami, Florida, Hialeah, Florida, Oviedo, Florida, Sharpsburg, Georgia, Aiken, South Carolina, and Talladega, Alabama, involving daycare workers charged with various forms of child abuse.
What actions are taken against daycare facilities involved in abuse incidents?
Daycare facilities involved in abuse incidents may face termination of the involved employees, cooperation with law enforcement agencies, and, in severe cases, revocation of their operating licenses, as seen in Talladega, Alabama.
How can parents ensure the safety of their children in daycare settings?
Parents can ensure the safety of their children by conducting thorough research on daycare facilities, regularly communicating with staff, reviewing surveillance footage if available, and promptly reporting any concerns to authorities.
Key Features of the Incident
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Bexar County, Texas |
| Individual Arrested | Veronica Jimenez, 50 |
| Charge | Injury to a child—reckless bodily injury, a state jail felony |
| Incident Description | Forcefully grabbing a child by the arm, causing the child to strike their head on classroom furniture and fall to the floor |
| Daycare’s Response | Termination of Jimenez and contact with authorities |
| Investigation Findings | Inconsistencies between Jimenez’s account and video evidence |
| Legal Proceedings | Arrest and booking into the Bexar County Adult Detention Center |
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