Daycare Worker Indicted for Simple Assault of Toddler

By Alyssa Schnugg
News Editor
alyssa.schnugg@hottytoddy.com

A Water Valley daycare worker has been indicted on a charge of misdemeanor simple assault arising from incidents occurring at Cotten Candy Daycare in Water Valley in December.

Norma Pullen, of Water Valley, was served with a warrant earlier this week and taken to the Yalobusha County Jail where she posted bond.

No court dates have been set at this time, according to court officials.

Law enforcement and the District Attorney’s Office will continue to investigate and monitor as is appropriate,” said Assistant District Attorney Steven Jubera. “We will continue to cooperate with any and all investigations with the Department of Health as is appropriate and required by law.”

Hadley Morris, 2, suffered a broken nose and injuries to her face at a Water Valley daycare in December. A video showing the events leading up to her injuries has gone viral.
Photo provided by Nicole Morris

The incident happened in December when 2-year-old Hadley Morris suffered a broken nose and bruising to the face while at the Cotten Candy Kids Learning Center that is owned and operated by Yalobusha General Hospital and Nursing Home. Her mother, Nicole Morris, worked at the daycare and was in the next room when her daughter was hurt.

Morris reviewed a security camera the night her child was injured. In the video, the daycare worker is seen grabbing Hadley and walking off camera toward the bathroom. A moment later, Hadley returns on the camera crying with her nose bleeding. When the daycare worker walks toward her with a tissue, Hadley puts up her arms and backs away.

The following day, Morris quit her job at the daycare, removed Hadley and reported the incident to the Water Valley Police Department.

Morris put the video and a photo of Hadley on Facebook on April 8. It has garnered more than 380,000 views and has been shared 4,000 times.

Calls and emails for comment to Yalobusha General Hospital have remained unanswered as of this afternoon, however, last week on the hospital’s statement on Facebook, they claim they were made aware of the incident in December.

“When we learned of the incident, we reported the matter to the Mississippi State Department of Health. The Department of Health and local authorities conducted an investigation, found no wrongdoing on the part of the staff at Cotten Candy Kids Daycare, and closed their files on the matter.”

Morris said Wednesday that learning about Pullen’s arrest induced a “rush of emotions.”

“We have been fighting since December to get justice for our daughter and for it to finally happen makes us very happy,” she told Hottytoddy.com this afternoon.