Prosecutors: Former Bibb teacher, school board member convicted of child cruelty

Prosecutors say the case involved repeated abuse of a 6-year-old child in the woman’s foster care.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Prosecutors say a former Bibb County schoolteacher and longtime Bibb County Board of Education member has been convicted of cruelty to children after prosecutors say she repeatedly beat a 6-year-old child in her foster care.

The Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office says a Bibb County jury convicted 67-year-old Carnethia Elaine Dunham-Vickers on May 20 of cruelty to children in the first degree.

According to the DA’s office, daycare staff found severe bruising across the child’s arms and body in June 2021, including multiple overlapping belt wounds on the child’s lower back.

Prosecutors say Dunham-Vickers denied the abuse at trial, but admitted during cross-examination that the injuries were excessive and cruel.

The DA’s office says the child, who is now 11 years old, testified during the trial.

Prosecutors recommended a sentence of 20 years, with 10 years to serve in confinement. The court sentenced Dunham-Vickers to 20 years, with five years to serve.