The victim was taken to the hospital where doctors found a “patterned injury” on the child’s forehead consistent with being struck by a belt, the DA said

KC Baker


3 min read

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Candice Nicole McClure mugshotCredit: Cherokee County Sheriff's Office

Candice Nicole McClure mugshot
Credit: Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office

NEED TO KNOW

In April 2023, a teacher learned that the mother of one of her students had allegedly kicked and punched the child’s legs, and “choked” the child with her hands, according to the district attorney

The teacher reported the incident to child welfare officials, who investigated the allegations

The assistant DA said the teachers recognized the signs of abuse and created a safe place for the child to come forward

A Georgia mother is heading to prison for decades after “hero” teachers came forward with concerns that one of their students was being abused at home.

On Thursday, April 2, Candice Nicole McClure, 35, of Lenox, was sentenced to 40 years in prison after being convicted in a child abuse case involving her own child, Cherokee County District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway announced in a statement.

Earlier on April 2, after a four-day trial, a jury found McClure guilty of one count of first-degree aggravated assault and two counts of first-degree cruelty to children for kicking, punching and choking her young child.

“The trauma this child experienced is heartbreaking. Instead of protecting her own child, the defendant repeatedly inflicted abuse that caused lasting harm,” Treadaway said.

“This conviction and sentence send a clear message that Cherokee County will not tolerate the abuse of children and will hold offenders accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” she said.

The conviction stems from an investigation that began in April 2023 when a Cherokee County elementary school teacher reported child abuse concerns involving a student in her class, Treadaway said.

The student told the teacher that McClure had kicked and punched the child’s legs, and “choked” the child with her hands, according to the district attorney.

After the teacher reported the incident, the Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) and Canton Police Department opened a child abuse investigation into McClure.

During an unannounced visit to the child’s home, a DFCS employee took pictures of bruising on the child’s leg and a patterned injury on the child’s forehead.

The child was transported to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where medical providers documented “significant bruising on the legs, as well as a patterned injury on the forehead consistent with being struck by a belt,” the DA said.

Authorities interviewed the child, who provided them with additional information about the case.

The abuse had been going on for a while, authorities said.

“The family was new to Cherokee County, and we believe the abuse had been ongoing before the family arrived,” said Assistant District Attorney David Bailey, of the Special Victims Unit, who prosecuted the case.

“The schoolteachers are the heroes in this case,” he said. “They recognized the signs of abuse and created a safe place for the child to come forward.”

He added: “This case is a powerful example of what happens when mandated reporters unapologetically take action to protect a child.”

During the trial, jurors heard testimony from 12 witnesses for the state, including the victim, other family members, law enforcement, medical providers, DFCS personnel, and Cherokee County School District personnel.

The State also introduced numerous exhibits, including a recorded forensic interview of the child, photographs of the victim’s injuries, and documentation from school personnel.

The jury deliberated for about two and a half hours before returning its verdict.

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At trial and during sentencing, the prosecution referenced medical evidence and photographs documenting injuries to the same child in another county in 2016 when the child was four years old, Treadaway said in the statement.

Just before sentencing, the child, accompanied by an adoptive parent, a victim advocate, and a service dog, delivered a victim impact statement expressing appreciation for being “heard” by the jury, the statement said.

The judge then handed down the maximum sentence allowed under Georgia law.

“We are grateful to all who supported this child and hope this outcome brings some measure of peace,” Treadaway said.

McClure’s attorney could not be reached for comment.