A Titusville woman is accused of abusing a child that was in her care, police said.

  • Titusville woman arrested in child abuse case
  • Dawn Michelle Garcia, 47, of Titusville, was arrested Saturday
  • Charged with aggravated child abuse, a first degree felony

According to investigators, Garcia was running an unlicensed day care out of her home on Little Oak Circle.

An investigation began in August after a family member picked up the child from the day care. The child was taken to Parrish Medical Center. The child had signs of head trauma consistent with shaken baby syndrome, investigators said.

Hospital staff notified the Florida Department of Children and Families.

“Hospital administration felt they needed to call DCF based on what they found,” Titusville Police spokeswoman Amy Matthews said.

Jimmy Brannigan said he’s shocked to learn that Garcia is charged with harming a child.

 “I cannot see her hurting a child,” he said. “I cannot see that.”

Brannigan said he’s been close to Garcia for years and knew she ran a day care out of her house.

“I’d go in and talk to the little children, because I love children,” he said. “Dawn, in my book, if she did wrong, I’m sorry.”

Garcia was booked into the Brevard County Jail on a $25,000 bond. She has since been released.