Former First Baptist daycare employee charged with criminal abuse

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A former local daycare employee is facing multiple counts of criminal abuse following an investigation.

In a citation, Bowling Green police state on February 20, they responded for a case of possible criminal abuse at First Baptist Childhood Development Center at 621 E. 12th Ave

Police say it was reported that several parents had seen surveillance footage at the daycare of abuse toward their children.

After obtaining surveillance video through a subpoena, police say they saw the former employee, Maranya Shobe, on video “carrying children across the room by one arm” with their feet off of the ground, which could put them at risk “of serious injuries to their arms, shoulders or elbows.”

Police say they further saw Shobe appear to intentionally walk into children on multiple occasions, causing them to fall.

Police say a total of seven children were identified as victims of these incidents. Shobe faces 10 counts of third-degree criminal abuse.

Police confirmed Shobe is no longer employed with First Baptist.

Shobe was cited to court on Friday, March 29. Her court date is May 9, 2024.