Latest news with #AlexandraLeeCoffey
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Lenoir daycare worker bonds out of jail as court docs reveal more about toddler's death
LENOIR, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A daycare worker charged in connection with the death of a 16-month-old girl in Lenoir is out of jail after posting a $500,000 bond, as newly released court documents offer more details about the heartbreaking incident. Alexandra Lee Coffey, 29, a former employee at Creative Beginnings of Lenoir, was released from the Caldwell County Detention Center after posting bond, officials confirmed with Queen City News on Thursday. She is facing a charge of felony involuntary manslaughter in the death of a toddler identified in court documents by her initials, M.A.M. PREVIOUS: Daycare shut down, employee arrested after toddler's death in Lenoir According to those documents, the toddler, a girl born in December 2023, was put down for a nap around 11:45 a.m. on Monday, May 19. She was found unresponsive at approximately 2:30 p.m., prompting daycare staff to begin CPR immediately. Emergency crews rushed the child to the hospital, but she was later pronounced dead by a Dr. Snyder at 3:19 p.m., court documents state. Investigators have since requested a search warrant to gather potential evidence related to the cause and manner of the toddler's death. Items listed in the warrant include a multi-colored blanket, a white mattress cover, and a Lorex DVR security camera believed to contain surveillance footage from inside the daycare. PREVIOUS: 16-month-old dies from cardiac arrest while at Lenoir preschool: Police The Creative Beginnings daycare was ordered to shut down on Wednesday by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. While the facility had passed its most recent inspection, records show previous violations related to safe sleep practices and incomplete staff training, concerns that have taken on new significance in light of the child's death. Records with NCDHHS show that on Aug. 20, 2024, during an unannounced visit, officials discovered several violations including, 'Bed, cribs, playpens, cots or mats were not placed at least 18″ apart or separated by partitions when in use. In space No. 7 and No. 13 sleeping mats were not separated at least 18″ apart or separated with/by partitions.' Coffey made her first court appearance on Thursday, May 22. The investigation remains ongoing, with police continuing to gather evidence and urging anyone with information to come forward. William Hamby lives next door. He said he saw her grow up and can't believe what happened. 'She's just a good girl and I'm very proud to call her my granddaughter,' Hamby said. 'She is not capable of anything like that and if I had children now, I would not be afraid to leave them with her.' 'We extend our continued condolences to the family of the child and all those impacted by this heartbreaking incident,' the Lenoir Police Department said earlier this week. Anyone with further information is asked to contact the Lenoir Police Department at 828-757-2100 or Crime Stoppers at 828-758-8300. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Worker charged, daycare license suspended after 16-month-old child's death
One person has been charged with manslaughter, and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has suspended the license of a daycare in Lenoir after a 16-month-old child died there earlier this week. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 16-month-old dies at Lenoir daycare; investigation underway Channel 9 reported when the child, identified as Maddy, was found unresponsive at Creative Beginnings of Lenoir Monday afternoon. First responders said Maddy didn't wake up after a nap. NCDHHS sent out a notice Wednesday afternoon saying it was suspending the daycare operator's license 'based on the agency's findings that the public health, safety, or welfare requires emergency action.' The report says the Division of Child Development and Early Education got information about an incident at the daycare on May 20, the same day that Maddy died. The report doesn't reference Maddy's death, specifically. The daycare was ordered to close at the end of the business day on Wednesday. The operator of the daycare, Kids Time of Lenoir LLC, can appeal the administrative action. Channel 9 learned that one woman has been criminally charged in connection with the case. According to court records, 29-year-old Alexandra Lee Coffey is charged with involuntary manslaughter. She was booked into custody in Caldwell County. Officials said the daycare has been cooperating with the investigation. A GoFundMe has been created to help Maddy's mother and siblings. This is a developing story, check back for updates. (VIDEO: 2-alarm fire destroys daycare under construction near Cabarrus-Mecklenburg County line)
