News

Paragould Day Care Worker Charged with Felony Battery After Toddler Injured

Paragould Day Care Worker Charged with Felony Battery After Toddler Injured

Photo: Saga Communications/Greene County Sheriff's Office


Paragould, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – A local day care worker faces a felony charge after state officials and law enforcement investigated an incident that left a 3-year-old child with injuries.

Jayden Grider, of Paragould, has been charged with second-degree battery, a Class D felony, according to an affidavit filed in Greene County District Court.

The investigation began July 28 after the Paragould Police Department and Arkansas Crimes Against Children received a hotline report regarding a child injured at a local day care facility.

ADD US ON GOOGLE NEWS: Click here to see more local news from Jonesboro Right Now

According to the affidavit, the child had been placed in time-out and began striking himself. Grider then allegedly grabbed the child by the ankles and dragged him a short distance across an artificial turf play area.

Surveillance video from the facility depicts Grider sitting across from the child—who was seated next to an assigned teacher—before reaching over, grabbing his ankles, and pulling him across the turf to her location.

Photographs of the victim revealed “pretty extensive abrasions,” showing four scrape marks along the child’s back and ribcage area.

During an interview with investigators, Grider acknowledged pulling the child by his ankles to her position. She also admitted she was aware of the child’s injuries but failed to report the incident to her supervisor, court documents state.

Under Arkansas law, second-degree battery includes knowingly causing physical injury to a child 12 years of age or younger without legal justification.

A Greene County judge found probable cause for Grider’s arrest on Thursday, setting her bond at $75,000. As a condition of her release, Grider is ordered to have no contact with the victim, witnesses, or others involved in the case.

| DAILY BRIEF: Sign up for the Jonesboro Right Now Daily Brief Newsletter

This Week in Jonesboro

Recent Headlines

2 days ago in Sports

Deebo Samuel returns to the 49ers on a 1-year deal worth up to $7M, AP source says

The San Francisco 49ers are bringing back former All-Pro Deebo Samuel for a second stint after starting receiver Ricky Pearsall got sidelined by a knee injury.

2 days ago in Sports

Pressure rises on Infantino and FIFA’s World Cup investor plan as adviser resigns and Asia opposes

Pressure on FIFA President Gianni Infantino and his divisive plan to sell World Cup profits to private equity grew Friday as his senior adviser who sat on a White House panel resigned and Asia's soccer body joined Europe and North America in opposing it.

2 days ago in Entertainment

Actor Storm Reid hopes music reveals another side, introducing listeners to the real her

Storm Reid knows how the world sees her: an accomplished, polished actor who always seems to have it all together. Through new music, the Emmy-winner hopes listeners discover another side of her.