WEST MELBOURNE, Fla. – A preschool teacher has been taken into custody after surveillance cameras recorded her repeatedly hitting toddlers under her care with various objects, according to the West Melbourne police.
The incidents allegedly took place at Mustard Seed Kidz on Eber Boulevard between May 19 and May 26, as detailed in the official affidavit. The school director alerted authorities on Wednesday after a concerned parent reported that Latasha Mullings, 41, had flicked a child’s face. Upon reviewing the surveillance footage, Mullings was seen striking five children, aged 2 to 4, using items such as a metal stapler, a shoe, a bucket, a stuffed toy, and even her open hand, across 11 distinct incidents.
The video also captured Mullings flicking and pinching the children, grabbing them by their shirts, and, in one instance, hurling a shoe at a child, missing, then grabbing the child and shouting in their face.
Authorities noted that the children exhibited visible signs of distress and pain in response to the incidents caught on tape.
On May 26, the school director informed the Department of Children and Families (DCF) about the situation and subsequently dismissed Mullings from her position. When confronted, Mullings reportedly remarked, “My babies are gonna miss me.”
Police noted the abuse was only evident in the footage when Mullings was alone with the children, without any other adults in the room.
Mullings, who lives in Palm Bay, was arrested on Thursday. She faces five felony counts of child abuse without great bodily harm.
Mullings had been employed at the school since August 2025, but surveillance footage was only available for the final week before her termination, police said.
