'Itsy Bitsy Kids World' Owner Arrested On Child Abuse Charges

LARGO, FL — When one mom brought her child home from "Itsy Bitsy Kids World," her 2-year-old son's daycare, she discovered five red bruises on his legs, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. She asked the daycare's staff what happened to her son, the police report says, but all she was told was that he fell — nothing more.

She told police that there was no explanation given about how a fall gave her toddler two bruises on his right thigh and three on his left.

Later, when the he was seen by medical professionals, the finding was clear: This wasn't a simple fall; it was child abuse.

On Friday morning, Colleen Days, the owner of the daycare who was with the boy at the time he was injured, was arrested on one charge of child abuse. The boy's mother initially discovered the bruises on Oct. 3.

The names of the boy and the mother have not been released to protect their identities.

The 2-year-old may not be the only victim of abuse at Itsy Bitsy Kids World. According to the police report, investigators were told that Days "often" hits children with her hand or shoes as a form of punishment.

In this case, the boy did not put his shoes on when Days told him to — so she hit him with his own shoes, bruising his thighs, police said. The report says Days admitted to hitting the child.

The daycare has been closed as an investigation into its practices continues. Days is being held in Pinellas County Jail.

Photo credit: Pixabay