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Kayleigh Gambill, 29, of Newton, is charged with eight counts of assault on a child under 12, Conover Police Department Assistant Chief Jeff Barkley said via email on Monday.

Barkley said the victims are under the age of 4.

Gambill was a teacher at the Woodlawn Baptist Church Child Development Center for less than two years. Woodlawn Baptist Church Pastor Tim Jernigan said Gambill taught a class for 2-year-olds.

Jernigan said the church fired Gambill on Dec. 4 after the church was made aware of the reported abuse.

“She (Gambill) was released on the day the complaint was made known to us here at Woodlawn,� Jernigan said. “We found out about the complaint on Dec. 4, that morning. She was released before the close of business that day.�

Jernigan said that North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education began an investigation on Dec. 4. The N.C. Division of Child Development and Early Education brought in the Conover Police Department last week.

The assaults were reported to the Conover police on Jan. 28. Gambill was arrested Friday morning, Barkley said.

“Our number one commitment is to the safety of those kids and making sure that there was no further threat to them,� Jernigan said. “That's why the action (Gambill being fired) occurred on our behalf immediately.�

Barkley said the reported assault occurred at the Woodlawn Baptist Church Child Development Center.

“I'm grateful, to the best of our knowledge, no child was hurt, and she'll not do this again,� Jernigan said. “Because she's not in a place where she can do it now, and with the proceedings, she'll not work in childcare again anywhere.�

Woodlawn Baptist Church Child Development Center is located at 440 Seventh St. Place SW in Conover.