Employee caught on camera tossing children at Ormond Beach day care, police say

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. — A Volusia County woman was charged with child abuse after police said she was caught on surveillance camera tossing around children at a day care.

Police said 65-year-old Katherine Weitz was abusing toddlers she was supposed to be taking care of at Dream City Academy in Ormond Beach.

"There was shaking (and) a couple of kids being smacked during nap time," said Keith Walker of the Ormond Beach Police Department. "Some of the kids, she palmed the back of their heads with her hands and pushed them face forward in their cots."

The office manager heard children crying and checked the surveillance footage and saw the abuse, police said.

Officials said it was Weitz's third day on the job as a full-time employee.

Parents said they were outraged when they learned of the incident.

"We found over 30 incidents that could be considered child abuse to at least four different children," Walker said.

Police said Weitz told them that she woke up with a headache and thought about calling in sick, but instead went to work where she had no patience with the children.

Police said Weitz passed a background check before she was hired.