Emily Inglewood Fired After Throwing Shoe at 5-Year-Old Special Needs Child as Michelae Jones Demands Charges Against Destiny Development Center Staff

Emily, a daycare worker at Destiny Development Center in Inglewood, California, has been fired after surveillance footage showed her throwing a shoe at a five-year-old girl with special needs while two other staff members appeared to laugh and failed to intervene.

The incident, which occurred on January 16, was captured on classroom cameras and later shared by the child’s family on Facebook, quickly sparking outrage online. In the video, Emily can be seen hurling a shoe across the room, striking the child. After realizing the shoe made contact, she is heard saying, “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to do it.”

According to the daycare’s director, Danielle Williams, Emily claimed she was attempting to scare the child rather than harm her. However, the explanation did little to ease public anger, especially after it was revealed that two other employees present did not report the incident.

All three workers seen in the video have since been terminated. The child’s mother, Michelae Jones, is now calling for criminal child abuse charges to be filed, saying parents trust daycare facilities to keep their children safe—especially those with special needs.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has confirmed an active investigation. No charges have been announced at this time.