By Kevin Leach, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Richmond, Virginia, state officials with the Department of Social Services have recommended that the day care license for Yellow Brick Road Day Care be revoked. Lynne Williams, the Director of the Virginia Department of Social Services, issued this ruling or determination in response to the tragic death of Andrew Joseph Johnson who died in July 2009. The day care center left Andrew in a vehicle for 7 hours. The owner previously stated that she plans on fighting any decision by state officials to close down her day care center. Criminal charges have been filed and are being pursued against the owner and driver from the day care center.
What happens when a day care center leaves a child in a vehicle and the child dies? The answer is simple. The day care center gets shut down and the responsible employees and owner get arrested.
All day care centers / child care centers in Virginia and other States should take note of this case. It is a tragedy that could have easily been prevented with better procedures and due diligence on the part of the day care center. Many child injuries and deaths resulting from negligence in day care centers can be avoided with better training, a policy and procedure manual that is clear and followed, and with dedicated staff members who care about the health and safety of the children. You can read more about this story at Virginia Department of Social Services Recommends Revocation of Day Care License Following Death of Child.
The attorneys in the Child Injury Lawyer Network are dedicated to child safety issues. Hopefully, day care centers throughout the nation will institute necessary procedures to make sure that no child is ever left unattended in a vehicle for any reason.