A devastating case out of Northern California has ended with a guilty verdict—and details that are leaving families shaken.
A 67-year-old woman is heading to prison after two toddlers drowned while attending her unlicensed in-home daycare in San Jose. Prosecutors say the children were left unsupervised and gained access to a backyard pool that should have been secured.
After just two hours of deliberation, a jury in Santa Clara County found Shahin Gheblehshenas guilty on three felony counts of child endangerment following a three-week trial that included testimony from more than 30 witnesses.
The tragedy unfolded in October 2023—and what investigators say happened that morning is heartbreaking.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, Gheblehshenas left the home early that day for an appointment, even though staffing was already short. One worker had called in sick, leaving her daughter and co-owner, 43-year-old Nina Fathizadeh, as the only caregiver on site.
Prosecutors say Gheblehshenas knew there were ongoing safety concerns with the pool—specifically that the gate was sometimes left open—but failed to check it before the daycare opened or make sure anyone else did.
Then came the critical mistake.
Fathizadeh allowed multiple toddlers into the backyard, despite having a clear view of the pool gate—which was propped open. Instead of securing it, she walked away into the kitchen to prepare tea and oatmeal, leaving the children out of sight for several minutes.
When she returned, it was already too late.
One child was found floating in the shallow end of the pool. As she attempted CPR and called for help, another family member rushed outside and discovered two more toddlers in the water—this time in the deep end.
All three children were rushed to the hospital.
Two of them—18-month-old Peyton Cobb and 16-month-old Lillian Hanan—did not survive.
A third child lived.
Investigators later confirmed the pool’s safety gate had been left propped open with a drying rack, giving the toddlers direct access to the water. Authorities say both women were aware the gate had been an issue in the past but failed to secure it that morning.
“These defendants had the ultimate responsibility to care for these little ones and they criminally failed,” said Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen. “These small children tragically paid for this inattention and incompetence with their lives.”
The case also revealed broader concerns about the daycare’s operations, including supervision issues and prior unsafe practices. Prosecutors noted Gheblehshenas chose not to return home that morning—even after realizing she didn’t have the appointment she had left for.
Fathizadeh had already pleaded guilty earlier this year to child endangerment charges.
Both women are scheduled to be sentenced on May 22 and could each face more than a decade behind bars. Fathizadeh is also facing additional prison time tied to a separate incident involving reckless driving while transporting multiple unsecured toddlers.
Are there any good people in CA