A Tennessee court has upheld a two-year prison sentence for Amanda Hurst, a daycare worker who pleaded guilty to child abuse. The ruling, issued by the Court of Criminal Appeals of Tennessee on September 4, 2026, confirms that Hurst's actions were severe enough to warrant incarceration, despite her requests for probation and judicial diversion.

The case centers around Hurst's conviction for child abuse, which stemmed from an incident where she physically attacked a two-year-old girl in her care. The ruling affects Hurst, the victim, and the broader community's trust in childcare providers.

Background

The State of Tennessee charged Amanda Hurst after a grand jury indicted her for aggravated assault by strangulation and child abuse. Hurst, who had worked at Union Child Enrichment Center, entered a guilty plea to the child abuse charge, a Class D felony, as part of a plea agreement. The state dismissed the aggravated assault charge.

During the plea hearing, the prosecution presented evidence, including surveillance footage from the daycare, which showed Hurst violently shaking the child and causing visible injuries. The incident occurred on July 2, 2024, when Hurst was responsible for several children during nap time. The video depicted Hurst picking up the victim and shaking her repeatedly, leading to significant bruising and injuries, which were later confirmed by medical professionals.

The Ruling

The court, led by Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer, affirmed the trial court's decision to deny Hurst's requests for judicial diversion and probation. The ruling emphasized the seriousness of Hurst's actions, stating, "the circumstances of this particular case and the video footage of the assault outweighed the factors favoring the grant of judicial diversion."

The trial court had found that while Hurst had no prior criminal record and was generally amenable to rehabilitation, the nature of her offense was too severe to allow her to avoid a prison sentence. Judge Wedemeyer noted that Hurst's actions were "abhorrent and disgusting and very dangerous," highlighting the potential for brain injury to the child due to the violent shaking.

Impact

This ruling sets a significant precedent for cases involving childcare workers and child abuse. It reinforces the idea that individuals in positions of trust, such as daycare workers, are held to a higher standard of care. The court's decision serves as a warning to those in similar professions that abusive behavior will not be tolerated.

The ruling also emphasizes the importance of accountability in cases of child abuse, particularly when the victim is unable to communicate the abuse. The court's decision to deny diversion and probation underscores the need for deterrence in such cases, ensuring that future offenders understand the serious consequences of their actions.

What's Next

Hurst's conviction can be appealed to the Tennessee Supreme Court, but it is unclear if she will pursue this option. There are currently no related cases pending that could impact this ruling.