3 former Forsyth daycare workers indicted on child abuse-related charges

As 41NBC previously reported, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office arrested Hughley on March 10, 2025. Stevick and Webb were arrested on March 18.

FORSYTH, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Three former daycare workers in Forsyth have been indicted on a total of 23 criminal counts following an investigation into allegations of child abuse and unauthorized administration of Benadryl to toddlers.

According to a Monroe County Superior Court indictment filed November 9, Kendasja Mequia Hughley, Cathy Carlisle Stevick and Shelby Ashlynn Webb face charges stemming from incidents in March 2025.

The indictment charges Hughley with six counts of first-degree cruelty to children, seven counts of simple battery and five counts of reckless conduct.

According to court documents, Hughley is accused of physically mistreating children through actions including hitting, kicking, grabbing and pulling them by their hair. The reckless conduct charges involve allegations of physically handling children in ways that endangered their safety.

Stevick, the former director of Forsyth Methodist Church-Caring for Kids, faces three counts of failure to report child abuse. Prosecutors allege she failed to report suspected abuse involving three children despite being required to do so under Georgia law.

Webb, a former teacher at the daycare, faces one count of first-degree cruelty to children and one count of simple battery. According to the indictment, Webb is accused of throwing a child out of a chair and striking a child.

The indictments follow an investigation that began in March 2025 after allegations surfaced that children at the daycare had been given Benadryl without parental authorization.

As 41NBC previously reported, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office arrested Hughley on March 10, 2025. Stevick and Webb were arrested on March 18.

The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning also investigated the facility and found evidence of inappropriate discipline and rough handling of children.

The department issued an emergency closure order in March 2025 and revoked the daycare’s license in April 2025.

According to the department’s investigation, staff members administered Benadryl to 2-year-old children without parental permission on March 3 and March 5, 2025.

The indictment represents formal criminal charges against the three women. The allegations have not been proven in court.