AUGUSTA, GA — A shocking incident at a local autism therapy center has led to the arrest of an Augusta woman after surveillance footage allegedly captured her assaulting a vulnerable 5-year-old child.
Aaniyah Brown is facing felony charges following an investigation at the Circle City ABA therapy center. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, April 28, has left the local community searching for answers regarding the safety of children in specialized care facilities.
Disturbing Surveillance Footage Revealed
According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to the facility at approximately 1:23 p.m. local time following a report of an assault.
The arrest warrant, obtained by local outlets, details a harrowing scene captured on the center’s internal security cameras. The footage allegedly shows Brown:
- Pushing the child away with her foot on two separate occasions.
- Holding the child down by stepping on his lower back.
- Placing her foot on the child’s face as he attempted to stand up.
Deputies who viewed the footage confirmed that the events transpired exactly as described by the whistleblower who reported the incident.
The Defense: “Keeping the Child From Harming Her”
When questioned by investigators, Brown did not deny using her feet but offered a justification for her actions. She reportedly told deputies that she was using her foot as a defensive measure to keep the 5-year-old from harming her during the session.
However, officials found the level of force captured on video to be criminal. Brown was arrested at approximately 4:20 p.m. that same day and transported to the Richmond County Jail.
Charges and Release
Aaniyah Brown has been officially charged with one count of first-degree cruelty to children. Following her booking, she was released from jail after posting a $22,000 bond.
Circle City ABA, which provides therapy for children with autism, has not yet issued a formal public statement regarding Brown’s current employment status or the specific measures being taken to ensure the future safety of their students.
A Growing Concern for Parents
This incident marks a terrifying moment for parents of children with special needs in the Richmond County area. Children with autism often have communication barriers, making them especially vulnerable in situations where abuse may occur.
Maternal care advocates and local disability rights groups are calling for stricter oversight and more frequent audits of surveillance footage in private therapy centers to prevent similar tragedies.
What do you think, Augusta? Are current background checks and monitoring systems enough for those working with our most vulnerable children? Should therapy centers be required to provide parents with real-time access to video feeds?
Share your thoughts and concerns in the comments below.
