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VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) - The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) confirmed it is investigating two additional concerns at Love Thy Kids Academy in Valdosta.

Sept. 9, 2025, DECAL confirmed it was asked to investigate three separate incidents at Love Thy Kids Academy:

• In Feb. 2025, an incident was reported involving a 2-year-old child who sustained an injury to their right leg, with staff reportedly unaware of the incident at the time.
• In July 2025, there was a report concerning a 3-year-old child who experienced a head injury after falling from a chair and staff was unaware.
• In Aug. 2025, an incident was reported in which a 5-year-old child was allegedly left unsupervised on a school vehicle for approximately five to ten minutes.

Today, DECAL confirmed two additional investigation into the child care center:

• Concerns about an alleged employee who was reportedly on-site without a completed background check and interacted with children, staff, and parents.
• Allegations around staffing ratios, specifically regarding reports of only one staff member present in an infant room with ten or more babies.

Reg Griffin, DECAL Chief Communications Officer said, “We remain committed to maintaining safe and appropriate staff-to-child ratios and are reviewing internal policies and procedures as part of the investigation.”

WALB has reached out to the owner of Love Thy Kids Academy for a statement regarding the most recent allegations.

WALB’s Brittanye Blake will have more in later newscasts.

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