Nanny Cam story strikes a nerve

I've been in the news business for 20 years now, and there are two things I have learned that are almost always true:

First - every day is different. In the words of Momma Gump, "you never know what you're gonna get."

Second - I've learned is no other stories bring a community together than those that involve a child.

That was certainly the case on Thursday, when we brought you the story of a Murrells Inlet woman accused of abusing a 5-month-old girl she was hired to care for.

Cheryl Ann White is charged with unlawful neglect of a child along with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. She went before a magistrate on Friday morning, who set her bond for $6,000 for each charge.

The child's parents say they recorded the alleged abuse on a hidden camera inside their home. Police are holding the videotape as evidence and have not released it to the media.

News 13 was the first to interview Wesley Locklair, the father of the 5-month-old girl. We posted a portion of the interview on scnow.com, and the response was immediate.

Here's some of what our web users had to say:

"This story is spreading fast! I'm in Texas and just was sent the link via email. To the family: people all across the country are praying for you. Keep your head up. I have faith in our judicial system. To News13: this is the media at its finest. Thank you for exposing a monster for what she really is."

"It's a shame this happened to that little girl. My heart goes out to Mr. Locklair and his wife, as well as their daughter. Also, by saying he is abusing his position as a lawyer is completely untrue. Had any other person brought this to the police, an investigation would have been held then too. Mr. Locklair and his wife should be commended for coming forward with the truth that might help other children. I'm the mother of 9 month old twins, and I can only imagine what they are going through."

"Bond was set far too low. I believe age is playing too much of a factor for the judge and attorneys involved. 60, 20, or 100? It doesn't matter. She was caught on video abusing a sweet, innocent baby."

"She should have been arrested, not allowed to turn herself in. The police showed this evil nightmare of a woman too much deference based on her age. 60 or not, she is a monster. Furthermore, your claim that she didn't know what the warrant was for is false. She knew exactly what she did. The parents told her when they fired her. Stop with the lies. I am sorry you are finding out about a friend or family member this way, but she abused a helpless baby."

"Being a member of Cheryl's family, I can assure you this is not her character. She has been a loving mother & grandmother as long as I have been alive. Until recently, I was one of those people who would see this article & pre-judge just like the rest of you, until it happened to my family member. But the fact is the police have had this tape for over a week & did not arrest her, she turned herself in. That right there should tell you, something is not adding up."

It is critical to note that Ms. White has not been convicted of anything yet, at least not in a court of law.

Now when it comes to the court of public opinion - well let's just say, the jury is still out.

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