LEE COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) - The former owner and two others associated with a daycare facility formerly known as “Just Kidding Daycare” were arrested Tuesday, Feb. 10, after a parent notified the Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) of possible child abuse in September 2025, according to officials.

The facility on Cedric Street is now under new management and is known as “Rising Stars Christian Academy.”

LCSO said that the Special Victims Unit (SVU) started an immediate investigation following the allegations. Investigators said that the incident met the criminal threshold for child abuse.

Investigators also said that the daycare owner failed to report the abuse to authorities.

The following individuals were arrested Tuesday:

• Sarah Luke: Cruelty to children in the 2nd degree
• Cristie Hall: Tampering with evidence and failure to report child abuse
• Nicholas Moore: Failure to report child abuse

Officials said Moore was a previous owner and Luke was a former employee at the facility. Hall was currently employed there and was arrested at the facility Tuesday morning, LCSO said.

The individuals were taken to the Lee County Jail for processing.

Rising Stars Christian Academy’s owner Dr. Carla Turner took ownership of the facility in November 2025, after the alleged incident occurred, she said in a statement sent out to families of children enrolled at Rising Stars.

Read the statement in part below:

“Since taking ownership, I have been fully committed to operating Rising Stars with transparency, integrity, and the highest standards of child safety. All required reporting procedures, training expectations, and supervision protocols are strictly followed under my leadership.

Please know that your children’s safety is and has always been my top priority.

Rising Stars is currently operating in compliance with all state regulations, and our focus remains on providing a safe, nurturing, and loving environment for every child entrusted to our care.”

LCSO emphasized that current ownership was not involved in this investigation.

The sheriff’s office included a statement in their press release regarding these arrests. They said LCSO takes all reports of child abuse seriously, and they encouraged anyone who suspects child abuse to report it immediately.

This case remains active, LCSO said.

WALB is working to learn more. Stay with us for updates.

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