Pinellas sheriff’s deputies said she admitted hitting the child several times with his own shoes because he would not put them on when asked.

PINELLAS COUNTY – A Largo day care owner has been accused of striking a 2-year-old boy with his own shoes, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said.

Colleen Williams Days, 59, owner of the Itsy Bitsy Kids World Daycare in the unincorporated area near Largo, was charged with one count of child abuse. The child’s name is being withheld in accordance with state law.

The day care has been suspended by the Child Care Licensing Board pending an investigation, deputies said.

Deputies began their investigation Oct. 3 after the 2-year-old’s mother noticed three large red marks on the toddler’s left and right thighs. The mother told deputies that she had picked her son up from daycare at Itsy Bitsy Kids World and, after returning home, she noticed the red marks. The mother said she tried to ask for information from the daycare and was only told that the boy “fell.” The mother was not given any further explanation.

Deputies said the child was in Days’ care at the time of the incident.

Medical staff told deputies that the child had suffered two large bruises on his right thigh and three large bruises on his left thigh, and that the findings were positive for child abuse. During the course of the investigation, deputies said they were told that Days often strikes children with her hand or a shoe for punishment.

Deputies interviewed Days on Friday (Oct. 27) at the Sheriff’s Office. They said Days admitted to deputies that she struck the toddler several times with his own shoes, causing the injuries to both his legs. Days told deputies she struck the child because he would not put his shoes on when asked.

For information about the Pinellas sheriff, go to pcsoweb.com.

Pinellas Sheriff | Crime | Child Abuse | Arrests | Tampabay News

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