‘Playing Tic Tac Toe on his butt:’ Family says five-year-old was attacked with marker at daycare

Child Daycare Centers Confront Higher Energy And Food Costs BERLIN, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 14: Coats and bags of children hang at the Kleiner Fratz child daycare center in Neukoelln on September 14, 2022 in Berlin, Germany. Child daycare centers across Germany are facing compounding problems, including rising costs for energy and food as well as a shortage of staff. At the Kleiner Fratz Neukoelln center instalment payments for energy have gone up 50% and food prices 9%, yet the amount of money the center receives from the city per child has gone unchanged. The center has the capacity to take on another 30 children but cannot do so because it lacks the required extra four teachers. Germany is facing a possible energy crisis as well as economic recession to consequences stemming from Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (SeanGallup/Getty Images)

RIVERDALE, Ga. — A local police department and a state agency are investigating a local learning center.

A Clayton County couple alleges their now five-year-old son was assaulted by another student while at daycare. The parents claim it happened at the Prime Care Learning Center in Riverdale.

“It’s just disheartening to know that this was happening to your son,” said the child’s parents.

The mother claims she noticed writings on her son’s shirt and body on April 10 when she picked up her son.

“He pulled down his underclothes, and I saw there was writing all over both parts of his buttocks. It was really extensive writing,” she described.

The parents showed photos of their son’s buttocks to the Riverdale Police Department. They claim their son said another child did this.

“It was as if, they were playing Tic Tac Toe on his butt. Devastating, to know that a child his age, could think to do something like that,” the mother said.

The officer stated the parents “showed me photos they took of their son’s buttocks and it clearly showed there were marker markings on him.”

An employee at the daycare had no comment on the matter, while the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning released a statement.

“The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) is investigating allegations of a lack of supervision by Prime Care Learning Center located at 6550 Church Street in Riverdale. This is an open investigation. The complaint was received on April 14, 2023. It was reported that on April 10, 2023, a five-year-old child was written on with a marker on their shirt, back, legs, and buttocks. Staff was not aware until the incident was reported by the parent the next day. Parents impacted by this situation can connect with child care resources at www.qualityrated.org or by calling the toll-free number 1-877-ALL GA KIDS. Parents will be assisted in locating quality child care options. DECAL provides this free service to parents. At DECAL, our top priority is the health and safety of our state’s young learners.”

The Georgia DECAL also states the daycare center is in good standing with the state, but they are investigating this case.