An 11-month-old boy was found with significant bruising and a welt on his face after his first day at The Clubhouse Childcare Center in Holdenville, Oklahoma, prompting a police investigation.
Randilyn Votra, the child's mother, stated she noticed her son was agitated when she picked him up on August 10. Upon closer inspection, she discovered the injuries to his face. Votra reported that staff at the daycare were unable to explain the marks, and the teacher who had been caring for her son had already left for the day.
The owner of the daycare told Votra that the teacher claimed the child had simply fallen and was clumsy. Unconvinced, Votra took her son to a hospital. Medical professionals there determined that the injuries were inconsistent with a fall.
The hospital staff subsequently reported their findings to the Holdenville Police Department. The department, in conjunction with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Police Department, has submitted an arrest warrant for the teacher allegedly responsible for the boy's injuries. The Holdenville Police Department has a cross-commission agreement with the Lighthorse Police Department that allows them to file charges against Native Americans for crimes committed within city limits.
Additionally, the State Department of Human Services is involved in the investigation. The agency confirmed that The Clubhouse voluntarily ceased operations on August 14, 2026, and is not currently open. A representative stated that the agency will determine if further regulatory action is warranted based on the investigation's findings.
Votra has expressed concern about her son's behavior since the incident, noting that he has become fearful and flinches when people approach him, stating he is not the same baby he was before attending the daycare.
It remains unclear if an arrest has been made as of Tuesday afternoon.