Former Albany daycare worker indicted

ALBANY — A Dougherty County grand jury has indicted a former worker in a now-closed daycare center on North Jefferson Street on charges of choking a 10-year-old boy.

Melissa Lyn Dannels is charged with aggravated assault and battery for allegedly choking Zhwquane Roberts at the center on August 3, as well as striking him repeatedly with her hands.

Dannels is also facing with one count of cruelty to children in the first degree for causing physical and mental pain to Zhwquane during the alleged attack.

In addition, Dannels is charged with one count each of cruelty to children in the third degree against Kanniah Roberts, J’Keyria Roberts, Ka’narious Roberts and Blake Dannels, Melissa Dannels’ son, as all are said to have witnessed the alleged attack.