A state agency is investigating a Floyd County daycare after the owner allegedly left a five-year-old special needs child in a bus last Friday.

According to a Floyd County Jail report, 58 year old Debra Brooks McDaniel turned herself in on the felony charge of second-degree cruelty to children and reckless conduct which is a misdemeanor.  She is the owner of Superkids Early Learning Center.

According to the Rome police report a Rome public works’ employee saw the child standing at the end of the driveway at McDaniel’s residence around 9:30 Friday morning. The child told the employee that he had climbed out of the van after waking up in his car seat. He said he knocked on the door of the residence looking for “Ms. Debra” but there was no answer.

Police called Superkids and made contact with McDaniel, who returned to her home.  The report stated that McDaniel told officers she didn’t have an explanation for the incident but continuously stated she was at fault.

The Bright From the Start Georgia Department of Early Care & Learning was contacted on Friday and is investigating, according to agency spokesman Reg Griffin.

McDaniel was released on bond after being booked into the jail.  The daycare remains open while the investigation is ongoing. 

(WRGA/www.wrgarome.com)