Pulaski Woman Sentenced to 12 Years for Abusing Children at Daycare

A former daycare worker has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to nearly 200 counts of child abuse and assault involving children in her care.

Erica Coleman entered guilty pleas on January 29 to all 197 counts contained in a Giles County Grand Jury indictment. Six of the 12 years will be served at 100 percent. She is prohibited from having any contact with the victims or their parents.

The case began March 5, 2025, when Pulaski Police were dispatched to Kid City USA daycare following a complaint from a parent who witnessed Coleman mistreating a child. Coleman was arrested that day on a charge of simple assault and was immediately terminated from her position, where she had worked for approximately six months.

Pulaski Police Investigator Jordan Ramsey opened a broader investigation to determine whether additional abuse had occurred. The investigation included interviews with daycare staff and parents, along with a review of available surveillance video from the facility. Due to system limitations, only about two weeks of footage was available.

At the conclusion of the investigation, the grand jury returned a 74-page indictment charging Coleman with one count of aggravated assault, two counts of attempted aggravated assault, 94 counts of simple assault, 97 counts of child abuse involving children eight years old or younger, and three counts of attempted child abuse. All charges were supported by video evidence.

Surveillance footage, though without audio, showed repeated acts of abuse involving children between the ages of 3 and 4. Investigators documented incidents of slapping, pushing, kicking chairs, screaming inches from children’s faces, making threatening gestures, and, in one instance, lifting a child by the throat. Witnesses reported Coleman using profanity toward the children.

Authorities said the abuse was not directed at a single child and involved both boys and girls of different races. Investigators noted the videos showed children appearing visibly fearful, often sitting silently with their heads down while Coleman focused on another child.

Coleman will serve her sentence in the Tennessee Department of Correction.