A North Carolina daycare worker has been arrested after a 16-month-old girl died on her first day at the facility, sparking outrage and heartbreak in the community.
Alexandra Coffey, 29, is facing an involuntary manslaughter charge in connection with the toddler’s death, according to police in Lenoir.
Authorities were called to Creative Beginnings daycare shortly before 3 p.m. on Monday, May 19, after receiving a report of a child in cardiac arrest. When officers and emergency crews arrived, they found the little girl unresponsive. Life-saving efforts were made, but she was pronounced dead at Caldwell UNC Healthcare shortly afterward.
Two days later, on May 21, Coffey — an employee at the daycare — was arrested in connection with the tragedy. Police did not release specifics about what led to the child’s death but confirmed that Coffey’s actions were under investigation. She was booked and later released on a $500,000 bond.
The child’s mother told local station WBTV that it was her daughter’s first day at Creative Beginnings. She said she received a heartbreaking call from the daycare saying her baby never woke up from nap time.
That same day, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services suspended Creative Beginnings’ license and ordered the facility to close.
Coffey’s attorney has not issued a statement, and a probable cause hearing is scheduled for next week as the case continues to unfold.
