Laniecia Smith Accused of Hitting Children at Future Leaders Childcare Ministries in Gary, IN While on Calls with Inmate from Porter County Jail

GARY, Ind. (WLS) — A northwest Indiana daycare teacher is accused of abusing young children while on video calls with a jail inmate, officials said.

Laniecia Smith, age 31, faces several felony charges for child neglect and battery against minors, tied to incidents that reportedly took place at Future Leaders Childcare Ministries located in the 1000 block of Roosevelt Avenue in Gary. On Monday, the daycare seemed to not be in operation.

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According to police reports, Smith allegedly was observed on a few occasions grabbing and striking toddlers, aged 3 and 4, while video chatting with an inmate at the Porter County Jail. These interactions, which happened last month, were recorded and scrutinized by jail personnel.

Court documents outline allegations that Smith was “often seen vaping near the children” and “spent more time on video calls rather than providing instruction or supervision to the children.”

In one call, Smith allegedly hit a child, who has autism, with a broom.

In other calls, she was seen allegedly grabbing a child by the ear and smacking another in the head.

And on multiple occasions, Smith was allegedly seen driving with several unrestrained children in the backseat while video chatting and texting.

In the recordings, authorities said, Smith repeatedly called the kids “ugly” and “stupid” during expletive-laden tirades. And in one call, an unknown male at the daycare was allegedly seen dragging a child by the ankle while Smith was heard laughing.

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration confirmed to ABC7 that it is investigating the daycare’s operator, which runs three locations in Gary.

Messages ABC7 left for that owner were not immediately returned.

Officials say Smith is free on bond. ABC7’s attempts to reach her for comment were not successful.