Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By Joni J. Franklin, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Tragically in Kansas and other States, children are the unfortunate victims of injury and even death in day care centers. In Olathe, Kansas, a day care operator was recently convicted for the death of a 18 month old. The incident took place at the day care center in 2009. It was the child’s first day at a day care center and also her last day of life. Ava Patrick’s head got stuck in the slats of a wooden fence. She suffocated as a result of the incident. The case eventually made it to a criminal jury trial against the operator of the Kansas day care center. A jury convicted Jeanette L. Lawrence, age 47, of involuntary manslaughter. The day care center was overcrowded and understaffed.
This case illustrates the importance of staffing and safety measures in day care centers. It is vital that the day care center – both inside and outside of the facility – is safe for children. With good safety measures and consistent, responsible adult supervision, many tragedies like these in Kansas day care centers can be avoided.
You can read more about this story at Former Day Care Center Operator Convicted in Child’s Death – Suffocation in Wooden Fence.