A day after a video, allegedly showing 58-year-old Lynn Rowe, harshly disciplining and slapping a 4-year-old girl at her daycare went viral, police found and arrested Rowe in Missouri Valley, IA.
According to the girl's parents, the arrest is the first step in getting justice for what she did to their daughter.
"I'm just glad that now finally she's going to have to take some responsibility for this," said the mom.
"It's a mix of emotions. On the one hand, this is a woman that was family. We loved her. But at the same, it's gratifying that there is justice in what this woman did - assaulting our daughter," said Al.
A former employee captured the video, which has gained national attention - but many questioned why the person recording didn't intervene.
"For anyone who thinks she [the employee] should have stopped it and helped my child, I understand that but then Lynn wouldn't be in jail, she wouldn't be closed down, none of this would've happen so I'm really glad that she did," said Kelley. "There's power in that video. Without it, Lynn may have been able to justify it and we might not have found out what was going on."
"I thank her [the employee] from the bottom of my heart. She's a wonderful person and what she did deserves as many accolades and thanks as we can give her," added Al. "We have absolutely no negative feelings towards her."
The parents say they hope their daughter's case will make parents more vigilant and will serve to keep other kids safe.
"If a law or some more structure guidance is brought to day cares - if that's what comes out of it - then okay," said Al.
The parents add their daughter is doing well and "the strongest out of the family, by far." They will put her in counseling later on.
