Daycare Worker Charged After Jail Video Calls Reveal Alleged Abuse of Children
A daycare worker has been formally charged with multiple felonies after jail video calls allegedly captured her cursing at, striking, and threatening young children in her care over several days.
According to court documents, 31-year-old Laniecia Michelle Smith was observed on monitored video calls made between June 23 and June 27, 2025, while communicating with an inmate at the Porter County Jail. The videos, reviewed by investigators and the daycare operator, showed Smith actively working inside a classroom at Future Leaders Childcare Ministries in Gary while on the phone.
Investigators stated that Smith spent much of her workday speaking with the inmate through her phone or smartwatch, vaping inside the classroom, and ignoring the children. The videos revealed several troubling interactions, including physical and verbal abuse directed at children between the ages of 3 and 4 years old.
Court records indicate Smith:
• Repeatedly cursed at the children, including using vulgar and explicit language
• Made direct threats while holding a miniature broom, referred to as a “stick”
• Struck, grabbed, flicked, and dragged children on multiple occasions
• Placed children on live video calls with the inmate without parental consent
• Transported unsecured children while driving and video chatting
Some of the statements captured during the calls include:
• “Why you hit him, now I’m finna whack your ass with this broom.”
• “Sit up before I get my stick, I’m not playing with you.”
• “Let’s go. Get up. I can’t discipline y’all in shoes so let me take my shoes off and go in mommy mode real quick.”
• “Turn your ugly ass around…fuck wrong with you.”
• “You gonna close your motherfucking mouth before I hit yours.”
• “Sit down before I fuck your ass up.”
• “Get your pussy ass to the bathroom with your ugly, doughboy ass.”
• “You motherfucker, stupid ass ugly ass little boy.”
In one instance, Smith struck a 4-year-old autistic child with a broom, and in another, she smacked a child in the face and laughed while looking into the camera. On at least two occasions, she was seen vaping while children stood nearby.
Court documents also describe an unknown adult Black male appearing on video, dragging a child by the shirt and than by the ankle and whipping one child with an unknown blue object, possibly a lanyard, while Smith was seen laughing during the incident.
The daycare operator confirmed the identities of both Smith and the child victims after reviewing the footage. All of the victims were between the ages of 3 and 4.
Smith is currently lodged in the Lake County Jail.
Charges filed on July 11, 2025:
• Neglect of a Dependent – Level 6 Felony (5 counts)
• Battery on a Person Less than 14 Years Old (defendant is 18 or older) – Level 6 Felony (5 counts)
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This case remains under investigation and further charges may be pending.
