MACON, Ga. — An indictment from the U.S. District Court Macon Division has charged three former employees at Robins Air Force Base’s Child Development Center. A federal grand jury returned the indictment on Tuesday, charging the former employees with alleged child abuse while under their care.
27-year-old Zhanay Kiana Flynn of Centerville and 29-year-old Antanesha Mone Fritz of Tanner, Alabama were both charged with 18 counts of first-degree cruelty to children, six counts of second-degree cruelty to children, three counts of simple battery, and one count of failure to report suspected child abuse.
The daycare’s former director, 51-year-old Latona Mae Lambert of Kissimmee, Florida, was charged with one count of failure to report suspected child abuse.
The indictment describes in detail various acts of cruelty towards children allegedly committed by Flynn and Fritz. The charges include acts, including where Flynn and Fritz struck children, hit a child in the head with a book, kicked a child into a wall, shook a child while threatening to strike them, and stepped on and applied weight to a child’s leg.
The indictment also details incidents where they allegedly sprayed a cleaning liquid into a child’s face, forced children to hit one another, and caused the children to fight.
Flynn and Fritz are also accused of simple battery; the indictment said they lifted a cot while a child was sleeping on it, causing the child to fall out. The indictment also describes them striking a toy out of a child’s hand before forcing them into a small enclosure, and spraying two more children in the head and face with cleaning solution.
Lambert, Flynn and Fritz were charged with failure to report when they did not notify authorities of abuse after witnessing it or suspecting that abuse was occurring.
In total, the indictment lists 14 children who were victims of the abuse. The indictment said the abuse took place between January and February of 2021.
If convicted, Flynn, Fritz and Lambert will face five to 20 years in prison for each count of first-degree cruelty to children. They would face one to ten years for each count of second degree cruelty to children, up to one year for each count of simple battery, and up to one year in prison for failure to report suspected child abuse.
The Journal reached out to Robins Air Force Base, who issued the following statement:
“Properly caring for our Airmen and their families is of utmost importance. Our Airmen should have confidence in the care provided at our Child Development Center. We are fully supporting the ongoing investigation and reviewing processes to ensure the appropriate measures are in place to safeguard out children.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joy Odom will prosecute the case. The United States Air Force Office of Special Investigation and Air Force Security Forces is investigating, with assistance from the FBI.
Parents and guardians with children who were under the care of the defendants and have concerns are encouraged to reach out during regular business hours to the Robins Air Force Base Family Advocacy Program at (478) 327-8398.
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