Former Forsyth daycare owner pleads guilty, sentenced to probation, barred from childcare

Angela Martin, the former owner and president of Cornerstone Schools on Browns Bridge Road in Cumming, pleaded guilty to one count of reckless conduct and was sentenced to 12 months of probation, a court outcome that also bars her from working with children or operating a childcare center or school. Martin’s attorney said she is retired and 76 years old. Prosecutors had previously charged her in August 2024 with failing to report alleged sexual abuse, but as part of the disposition prosecutors chose not to pursue that failing-to-report charge further.

State regulators moved against Cornerstone’s early childcare program after investigators reviewed allegations linked to a worker later accused of abuse at another facility. The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning sent a letter revoking the license for Cornerstone’s early childcare center, which serves infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Martin appealed the revocation; a judge upheld the decision and gave her 30 days to close her childcare center.

Investigators discovered a March allegation at Cornerstone when they examined the past of worker Tulsi Patel, who worked at the facility for just two weeks, investigators say. At Cornerstone, authorities say Patel inappropriately touched several four-year-old children. Patel was later charged with sexually and physically abusing children at another daycare; reporting describes that incident as involving “more than a dozen” children and a separate account specifies a total of 12 victims at Kids ‘R’ Kids.

Parents of one of the victims at Kids ‘R’ Kids have filed a lawsuit against Kids ‘R’ Kids and Cornerstone. Channel 2 reporter Candace McCowan spoke with the parents, who said they were outraged that the incidents occurred and that multiple institutions are now facing civil exposure tied to the same worker’s alleged conduct.

Cornerstone Schools issued a statement saying leadership viewed the conduct as unacceptable and that the school acted after learning of the allegations. The statement read in part, “This behavior is completely unacceptable and goes against everything we stand for as an educational institution with a mission of ensuring every child in our care feels safe, loved, and inspired. We take that responsibility, and the trust that each family places in us, very seriously.” Cornerstone added, “Upon learning of these allegations on July 25th, we took immediate and decisive action. We have fully cooperated with the authorities by turning over all available video evidence to the police and contacted the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) to self-report the matter. Additionally, we called the impacted families and notified all school parents.”

A named official identified only as Griffin emphasized the regulatory scrutiny that followed, saying, “The investigation was continuing on up until this decision yesterday,” and, “Self-reporting is really an important part of the license you hold to offer childcare.” In court, Martin told the judge, “I’m just sorry.” With criminal probation, the DECAL license revocation and pending civil suits against both Kids ‘R’ Kids and Cornerstone, the case leaves ongoing administrative and legal questions about reporting, hiring practices and oversight of early childcare programs in Forsyth County.