TAMPA - A 29-year-old former daycare worker is being held in the county jail without bail after authorities said she beat two boys with the leg of a chair. The boys were left with welts and bruises, Tampa police spokesman Joe Durkin said..
Katrina Yvette Garner was arrested at her home, 2261 Blue Spruce Way, after the two boys told a school resource officer Tuesday that Garner had beaten them the night before. She is faces two counts of aggravated child abuse, first-degree felonies.
Authorities didn't release Garner's relationship to the boys, ages 11 and 14, to protect their identities. Durkin said Garner lived with the boys.
"Apparently, she was angry with them after finding out one of them left the house while he was grounded," Durkin said. "Both of the kids had welts and bruises to the arms, face, back and butt."
The children are staying with relatives, and the Department of Children and Families is investigating.
