"Child Doe" - 8 yo - Gainesville FL

A Gainesville woman was charged with child abuse and neglect Thursday after officials found a child she had been caring for covered in bruises.



Jacklynn A. Best, 52, was arrested by Gainesville Police who were assisting the Department of Children and Families in the investigation.Officer Edward J. Ratliff said the 8-year-old victim had a black eye and told investigators about being slapped by Best and being hit with a hard plastic back scrubber and a black leather belt. The child said Best began the beating after being told the child had been suspended from school a week ago.Best told investigators that since being suspended, the child has been home alone weekdays from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. while she is at work.Best was booked into the Alachua County jail while state officials made other care arrangements for the child.