Rocky Mount Mother Says She Caught Daycare Worker On Camera Mishandling Her Toddler

A North Carolina mother is calling for justice after video footage revealed a daycare worker at Foundation Builders Academy in Rocky Mount roughly handling her 2-year-old son.

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Fabria Davis, a work-from-home mom, said her son, Chozen, had only been enrolled at the daycare for two weeks when the incident occurred on May 13, 2025. While monitoring the classroom’s live camera feed, Davis said she noticed another teacher Raqualla Elijah behaving aggressively and began recording.

“I saw her being rough with the kids, so I started recording,” Davis told The North Carolina Beat. “Then I saw my son go up the steps, and that’s when I caught everything on video.”

The footage shows Elijah—who was filling in for Chozen’s regular teacher—leaving one child unattended on a changing table to grab Chozen by the arms, walk him across the room, and sit him on a couch. She then pointed her finger in his face and swatted at his hands.

DAYCARE ADMITS TO ROUGH HANDLING, NC DHHS INVESTIGATES

Davis immediately called the facility and spoke with administrator Frenchie Davis. Despite assurances that action would be taken, Davis said she had to call at least two times before Elijah was removed from the classroom.

On May 20, 2025, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) launched an investigation. Their findings, based on video footage and interviews, substantiated Davis’ claims.

According to the report, the daycare’s director, Nancy Rogers, and administrator Frenchie acknowledged the rough handling but claimed this was the first time they had witnessed such behavior from Elijah, attributing it to the teacher being “overwhelmed.”

Elijah reportedly admitted to being “a little overwhelmed” by the situation in room 106, which she was not normally assigned to.

As a result of the incident, Elijah received a verbal warning and was placed on a performance improvement plan, including training in behavior management and teaching strategies.

“MY SON WAS ASSAULTED,” SAYS OUTRAGED MOTHER

Despite the findings, no criminal charges have been filed. Davis said she spoke with Rocky Mount Police, who informed her the behavior did not meet the legal standard for assault or child abuse under North Carolina law.

“The initial grab, the way he was dangling, how she walked him across the room and sat him down roughly—it was assault,” Davis said.

Davis also shared that Chozen now flinches and appears fearful, showing signs of trauma from the incident.