Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By George Fusner, Jr., Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Tennessee and other States, parents send their children to school with the hope and expectation that the child will be educated and supervised in a safe environment. Unfortunately, some children suffer serious personal injuries and some even die while on school grounds or while engaged in a school related activity or field trip. In Whitehaven, Tennessee, it was reported that Anthony Scott (age 6) was hit by a day care by a Pee Wee Wisdom Child Care Center. A full investigation will be conducted as to the cause and preventability of such an accident.
In Kentucky, parents rely on day care centers to provide care and supervision to their children. It was reported that a child choked on a push pin while she was at a Louisville Kentucky day care center – Trina’s Daycare Center. It was reported that day care workers at the Kentucky day care center observed that Jacorey Davis, age 2, was having convulsions at the day care center. It was not known at this time why the child was having the convulsions. The child was later rushed to Kosair Children’s Hospital where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy later concluded that the child choked on a push pin. Recently, owner of the day care center – Katrina Clyburn gave a statement about the incident and her feelings regarding the death this child. See 
In Nebraska and other States, parents rely on day care centers, babysitters, and schools to supervise their children and keep them safe. Unfortunately, in some instances, these child care providers neglect children under their care and cause serious personal injuries to children and sometimes even death. In Nebraska, a babysitter was sentenced to a prison term of up to 4 years. Pamela Johnson pleaded no contest to the charges of intentional child abuse and first degree assault on a child. Law enforcement officials and prosecutors pursued the case based on evidence that showed that the child victim had injuries consistent with Shaken Baby Syndrome. See 
Jordan Everhart, a 21 year old Idaho man, was arrested on a felony injury to a child charge. Everhart was accused of physically abusing and 18 month old child. Everhart was babysitting his girlfriend’s child when the toddler was rushed to St. Lukes Regional Hospital. A rescue team rushed to the child’s home, after they received a call regarding an unconscious child. Paramedics assessed the child and determined the injuries were consistent with head trauma. The child underwent surgery, however she did not survive.
In Missouri and other States, children are at risk in day care centers during sleep time or nap time. Many day care administrators and care givers do not get the proper training or lack the proper knowledge as to the risk to infants and young children during nap time. It has been reported that from the years 2007 – 2010, at least forty five children died in child care from causes other than existing illness or medical problem. Of these deaths, thirty five occurred while the baby / infant was napping or sleeping at the day care center. Medical experts and pediatricians point out the risks to children who are placed on their abdomen / stomach to sleep. There is also dangers of suffocation from bedding and pillows. Furthermore, some cribs are unsafe for babies and toddlers. All the proper safety techniques in the world cannot replace the role of the day care provider to properly supervise and monitor children during nap time or sleep time.