Community members expressing concerns over child safety at daycare facilities.
Want to target the right audience? Sponsor our site and choose your specific industry to connect with a relevant audience.
Prominent brand mentions across targeted, industry-focused articles
High-visibility placements that speak directly to an engaged local audience
Guaranteed coverage that maximizes exposure and reinforces your brand presence
Interested in seeing what sponsored content looks like on our platform?
May’s Roofing & Contracting
Forwal Construction
NSC Clips
Real Internet Sales
Suited
Florida4Golf
Click the button below to sponsor our articles:
Sponsor Our ArticlesLaurin B. Boyce, a former employee at Maranatha Christian School, has pleaded guilty to multiple child abuse charges involving two children. Boyce, 73, received a 90-day sentence as part of a plea deal after serious allegations led to her arrest. Other staff members face charges for failing to report the incidents. The case highlights the need for vigilant oversight in childcare settings and has sparked community concern regarding child safety.
Florence, SC – Laurin B. Boyce, a former daycare worker at Maranatha Christian School, has pleaded guilty to multiple charges of child abuse that took place in January. Boyce, 73, faced serious allegations in connection with incidents involving two children at the school, leading to her arrest in February. The plea agreement was accepted by South Carolina Circuit Court Judge H. Steven DeBerry during a recent court hearing.
Boyce was charged with two counts of unlawful conduct toward a child, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, and second-degree assault and battery. In accordance with the plea deal, Boyce received a sentence of 90 days for her felonious actions against the children, with credit given for the 92 days she spent in jail since her arrest. Following the plea, she was released.
The child abuse incidents reported by investigators were particularly alarming. On January 23, Boyce allegedly assaulted a child by slamming their head into a crib, subsequently covering the child’s head with a blanket and pressing down on it before dragging the child out of the room. Just a week later, on January 30, she reportedly knocked another child over on the playground, lifted them by their arm and leg, and dropped the child from waist height onto their head.
In addition to Boyce, three other daycare employees at Maranatha Christian School – Jessica Elmore, Dawn Kirven, and Lee Patrick – have been charged with failing to report the child abuse they were aware of. These individuals have been released on a $6,000 bond each. Elmore and Kirven worked as nursery workers, while Patrick held a position of trust within the school. Their cases remain pending in court as they face scrutiny over their alleged neglect to inform authorities about the abuse.
The charges against Boyce and the other employees have stirred a significant response from the community. Supporters of the accused staff members have expressed confidence in their innocence, emphasizing that, notably, none of the three employees have been directly charged with harming a child. This sentiment reflects public concern over the judicial process and the implications for those involved.
The criminal charges against Boyce were initiated due to disturbing reports that came to light during an investigation. With the plea agreement now settled, the court’s resolution aims to bring some level of closure to the victims, blackening a chapter in the school’s history. Following Boyce’s arrest in February, the investigation ballooned into a more extensive inquiry involving other employees, underlining the need for vigilant oversight in childcare settings.
As the judicial process continues for the other three accused staff members, the case serves as a pertinent reminder of the responsibilities that come with caring for children and the legal ramifications of failing to uphold child safety. The court’s decisions reflect ongoing efforts to address and rectify issues of child abuse in educational environments, ensuring accountability and prioritizing the well-being of children.
In light of these events, Maranatha Christian School and local authorities are likely to face increased scrutiny regarding their child protection policies and protocols moving forward, as the community seeks reassurance that children will be safeguarded from potential abuse in the future.
Former Teacher Pleads Guilty to Child Abuse Charges
Mother Arrested for Child Neglect in Darlington County
Two Women Charged in Toddler’s Death Due to Neglect
Teenager Charged with Criminal Sexual Conduct in Florence, SC
Recent Wave of Sex Crimes Involving Minors Shakes the Nation
Florence Security Officer Charged with Assault at School
Shamrock Carnival Brings Joy and Support to Florence
Mahmoud Khalil Faces Deportation Hearing Amid Activism
Four Charged in Alleged Child Abuse at Christian School
Shocking Arrest in Florence: Local Man Accused of Child Exploitation
News Summary Brandon Thomas Cross, 40, has been charged with murder following a shooting at…
News Summary A resident of Florence County, South Carolina, won a staggering $1 million from…
Cybin Inc. Cybin Inc. is a global biotechnology company dedicated to revolutionizing mental healthcare through…
News Summary ARKU Inc., a prominent German company, is opening its first facility in Spartanburg…
News Summary Duke Energy has appointed Tim Pearson as the new state president for South…
News Summary County Councilman David Britt of Spartanburg County raises alarms over President Trump's aluminum…