by Dale County, AL – Two daycare workers in Alabama have been sentenced to five years in prison each for taking turns hitting children entrusted to their care. The sentences are part of a 20-year split prison term, which also includes three years of probation after release. Neither woman is eligible for parole during her prison term.
Kailey Gilley, 20, and Magan Koker, 30, were previously booked into the Dale County Jail on October 10, 2024, facing multiple counts of torture or willful abuse of a child and aggravated child abuse, according to jail records reviewed by Law&Crime.
Charges and Plea Agreement
Gilley faced four counts of torture or willful abuse and eight counts of aggravated child abuse, while Koker was charged with two counts of torture or willful abuse and nine counts of aggravated child abuse.
On October 20, 2025, some charges were reduced as part of a blind plea agreement, meaning the exact sentences were not yet determined at that time.
Court Proceedings and Victim Testimony
During sentencing, Dale County Circuit Court Judge William Filmore heard emotional testimony from parents of the abused children. One mother described her anger and heartbreak after seeing surveillance footage showing Gilley and Koker taking turns hitting her child.
Police reported that injuries were observed when the child was picked up from Happy Hearts Christian Academy Daycare, including bruising and swelling, which prompted a hospital visit and a police investigation.
“Officers met with the child’s parents, who reported that the injuries were discovered after picking the child up from the daycare,” Police Chief John Crawford said. “The parents said the bruises were not there earlier that day.”
Many of the victims were too young to speak at the time, leaving them unable to report the abuse themselves, witnesses said.
Daycare Background
Happy Hearts Christian Academy Daycare, where the women worked, is listed on Childcare Insights as a center providing a safe and supportive environment for children up to age 10. According to the listing, the center emphasizes age-appropriate activities designed to enhance social skills, creativity, and cognitive development.
The daycare reportedly closed following the arrests of Gilley and Koker.
Legal and Child Safety Context
Child abuse in daycare settings is taken extremely seriously by courts and law enforcement due to the vulnerability of young children and the trust placed in caregivers. Investigators and child welfare experts emphasize that even brief exposure to physical abuse can have lasting psychological and emotional effects.
Conclusion
Kailey Gilley and Magan Koker’s convictions and prison sentences underscore the severe consequences for daycare workers who abuse children in their care. The case highlights the importance of vigilant oversight, reporting, and swift legal action to protect the youngest and most vulnerable members of society.
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