Anderson Daycare Owner Arrested For Hurting Baby

By Melissa Keeney

Anderson County Jun. 10, 2008

The silent swingset and untouched toys outside the home at 3894 Seminole Avenue in Anderson are a rare sight for neighbors like Carol McAdams.  “The children always play in the yard.  They ride tricycles,” McAdams says.  The grandmother says all the activity stopped about two months ago.  “I found it very strange that there were no children coming anymore. None playing out in the driveway.”

Around the same time, Anderson Sheriff’s deputies started investigating the home daycare, and it’s owner, 51 year old Eddy Rector.  Back in April, deputies say a baby boy in Rector’s care was hurt so badly he had to be rushed to the hospital.  Doctors found he had a subdural hematoma, or bleeding from the brain, as well as retinal bleeding.  “We’re not talking about a stumble on the playground here,” says sheriff’s spokesperson Susann Griffin.  After further investigation, deputies arrested Rector, and charged her with inflicting great bodily injury on a child.  Griffin says, “There’s no newborn that could provoke someone to inflict great bodily injury. Who injures a child? A baby? They’re helpless.”

Now, there are questions about whether Rector was even properly licensed.  According to state guidelines, home daycares can house up to six children.  At the time of this incident, deputies say Rector was caring for eight.  The infant in the case has since recovered, according to Griffin.  Still, she says, they’re searching for more victims.

McAdams is out of the Anderson County Detention Center on a $20,000 bond.