A former Montgomery County daycare worker was sentenced to two decades in prison without the possibility of parole on Thursday.
Sarah Fuson was convicted of child abuse after injuring a 13-month-old in her care.
Sarah is the daughter of Montgomery County Sheriff John Fuson. Nikki McGee of News 2 has been following the case since its inception and was in court for the sentencing.
Ultimately, Judge David Wolfe sentenced Sarah to 20 years plus four years, which she can serve at the same time. Wolfe read Sarah’s pretrial interviews before issuing her sentence.
“On multiple occasions the defendant made the statement, and I’m going to quote it exactly as it’s written… ‘I shouldn’t F-ing be here, I didn’t do anything,’” Wolfe read.
Macy Hyde said she noticed bruises on her daughter after taking her to the Tylertown Learning Center in January 2023. Daycare staff later discovered a video that the state displayed during the trial. They argued that the baby’s head was repeatedly slammed onto a cot, and doctors testified that a CT scan found areas that could indicate a “concussion or skull fracture.”
“Your honor, I ask the court to remember that behind this case is a real child. A baby who was frightened, abused, and betrayed. I ask the court to fully understand the deep, lasting harm that this has caused to Olivia and our family. She deserved to feel safe, she deserved to be protected,” the victim’s mother said.
Sarah’s mother spoke in court as well.
“Sarah is not a throw away person, she is kind, she is generous, she is loving. As her family, we need her, we depend on her, and we will have a big hole at our table and in our hearts until she is returned home to us,” Jennifer Fuson said.
Sarah also made a statement apologizing for her actions.
“I didn’t realize that I was being rough with Olivia in the moment. I recognize that I was rough with her and regret my conduct. To Olivia and her parents, I am so very sorry that this happened and what this has put your family through,” she said.
Judge Wolfe said Thursday was the first time he saw Fuson seem remorseful for what she had done.
“She called the victim’s mother a liar,” Wolfe said. “She reported she wasn’t allowed visits at the jail and that her family needs to sue the jail so she can get out of there. She also discussed how the food ‘sucked’ and she really wanted a Dr. Pepper.”
Sarah is not eligible for parole due to the charges she faces. Her attorneys have filed an appeal for a new trial. A status hearing for that is scheduled for May 20, 2026.