Updated with background.
CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A former daycare employee, the daughter of Montgomery County Sheriff John Fuson, has been arrested on charges of abusing a toddler in her care.
Sarah Jo Fuson, 22, was charged Tuesday with aggravated child abuse, according to a news release today from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
At the request of District Attorney General Robert Nash, TBI special agents began investigating last month.
Court records obtained by Clarksville Now indicate that the child suffered “serious bodily injury.”
On Tuesday, the Montgomery County Grand Jury returned indictments, charging Fuson with one count of aggravated child abuse (8 years of age or less) and one count of child abuse (8 years of age or less). Authorities booked her into the Montgomery County Jail.
Last month, Sheriff Fuson put an end to the practice of MCSO posting daily arrest records and mugshots, and critics said it was precipitated by the TBI investigation into his daughter.
After initially denying that his daughter was under investigation, Fuson later stated, “The fact that my daughter has found herself in the crosshairs of an investigation was not the sole reason for removing the mugshots from our website.”
Sheriff Fuson has declined to comment at this time.
DCS, CPD, TBI involved in investigation
The incident happened at Tylertown Learning Center, according to Department of Children’s Services records obtained by Clarksville Now.
Kevin Short, operations minister for Living Hope Church, which operates the day care, said they learned of the incident on Jan. 10.
“The same day, our director conducted an investigation that concluded in the staff member being terminated,” Short said.
Both DCS and the Clarksville Police Department responded. Due to the nature of the incident, TBI became involved and sent agents to investigate.
“It is our policy to fully cooperate with these authorities when dealing with the safety and welfare of our students and staff. We have also supported the family of the student and will continue to do so through the conclusion of this process,” said Short.
