Latest news with #Boppy
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Victim's mother, former daycare employees testifies in Payton Gann trial
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) — The trial of Payton Gann of Red Bay officially started on Tuesday in Franklin County. Gann is one of three women charged in the death of four-month-old Autumn Wells at Tiny Tigers Dycare Center in Red Bay in March of 2022. THANK YOU! Wishes Can't Wait Telethon reaches $50,000 goal to help grant North Alabama kids wishes On Wednesday, the state called Taylor Wells, Autumn's mother, to the stand to testify. Wells told the jury that March 9, 2022, started out like any other day, she got up for work, got Autumn ready for daycare, and then they were out the door. Wells told the jury that she dropped Autumn off, kissed her goodbye and just hours later, she would have received a call that no parent wants to get. Wells got a call from the daycare saying that her daughter Autumn was not breathing and that she needed to get to the Emergency Room immediately. Gann and Angelene Chamblee, owner of Tiny Tigers, spoke with police at the emergency room that day. Gann initially told police the baby died after being in a swing for about 15 minutes with a blanket draped over her. Jury deliberating in Decatur chiropractor's attempted murder trial It wasn't until the next day, another daycare employee, Madison McCalpin, came forward and told police that the infant was laid face down on a pillow for more than an hour and then was found dead. McCalpin testified on Wednesday and told the court that she came forward because she felt that it was the right thing to do and that Taylor, Autumn's mother, deserved to know what really happened. Gann pleaded guilty to false reporting, but she still faces a manslaughter charge. Gann is the first person to go on trial for the death of Autumn Wells. McCalpin also testified that she was only 17 years old at the time and was a teacher's aide for the baby room at Tiny Tigers Daycare Center. McCalpin also told the jury that she had no training as to what to do or how to handle babies. McCalpin was asked to demonstrate the way Gann placed Autumn for nap time. McCalpin took the actual Boppy pillow and a baby doll and showed the jury how Gann put Autumn down that day. McCalpin testified that at no point in time did Gann check on Autumn or any of the babies during nap time. McCalpin also said that they turned the lights on when nap time was over to wake the babies up, and that's when she and Gann noticed that Autumn was unresponsive. McCalpin described that Autumn looked pale, and she was cold to the touch. Lastly, McCalpin made it clear on Wednesday that Gann ran out of the baby room with Autumn yelling for help, but also saying over and over that they had to say Autumn was in a swing, and that's when they found her. McCalpin was also charged in this case, but the charge was resolved through a deal with the court. Several more former employees were brought to the stand to testify. All three women told the jury that they had worked at Tiny Tigers and noticed that there was never any proper training and that Gann should have had common sense when it came to general baby responsibilities. The trial will continue on Thursday at 9:00 AM. News 19 crews will be in the courtroom to bring you the latest on this case. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mariah Antetokounmpo is throwing a community baby shower. Here's how you can help
Pregnancy cravings are a real thing. Mariah Antetokounmpo's? Giving back. "I think it's just always been a part of who I am," she told the Journal Sentinel in a recent phone interview. "I find joy in helping others and uplifting others." In 2021, Mariah and her husband, Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, put on a diaper drive with Milwaukee Diaper Mission to celebrate the birth of their second son, Maverick. Since then, it's become an annual event, called The BIG Give Back, which Mariah also helped organize when Baby No. 3, Eva, was on the way. "I get wild ideas I guess when I'm pregnant and decide to take things on," Mariah said. Her fourth pregnancy would be no exception. That's when she came up with the idea to throw a community baby shower. The Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation teamed with Kids Impact Community and Babbling Babes to bring to life April Showers of Love, a maternity, baby and toddler gear donation drive. Gently used and new items are being collected at dropoff spots across the Milwaukee area through April 30. With support from the community, organizers are aiming to help 75 local families who are expecting or growing and in need. "Milwaukee's done so much for our family," Mariah said, adding that it's where Giannis basically grew up since age 18 and where the two have been growing their own family. "We can't be everywhere and we can't help everyone, but we can start somewhere," she said. "So, what better of a place than a place that means so much to us and a community that means so much to us." The culmination of the donation drive will be a CAFF Family Day, a private event with food and fun during which the recipient families will be showered with the donated items. The first CAFF Family Day was held in Athens last summer at a gym where the Antetokounmpo brothers used to play basketball. "It takes a village to raise a child. I truly believe that," Mariah said. Showing the recipient families that they have a community supporting them as they embark on this new adventure is what's most important, she said. "Bringing a child into the world is a lot for anybody, so making sure they have some of these basic needs covered is really important, and taking some of the stress off the families," she said. If there are any extra donated products from the drive, partner organizations will distribute them to additional local families in need. These are the items the donation drive is seeking: Baby clothes (newborn to 5T) Maternity clothes Baby carriers Diaper Bags Diapers (open or new packages) Wipes Changing table pads Diaper pails (cleaned) Bottles (new) Formula (unopened and good for the next three months) Breast milk storage bags Breastfeeding pillows (Boppy, etc.) Bibs Pacifiers (new) Pack n Play Pack n Play sheets Crib sheets Blankets Baby bathtubs Health and hygiene baby products (unopened) Baby monitors Activity mats Bouncy Seats Strollers Toys (appropriate for ages newborn to age 5) Books Most can be gently used unless otherwise noted, but must be washed and in dignity condition. If you're looking to shop new, there's an Amazon Wishlist with needed items here. These are items not being accepted for this donation drive: Car seats, cribs, furniture, jumpers, swings, walkers and breast pumps. Those interested in donating items to the drive can register here. Milwaukee: Milestones, 3131 N. Summit Ave. Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, the 330 E. Kilbourn building (drop off in the lobby). Shorewood: Little Sprouts Play Cafe, 4606 N. Wilson Drive, Shorewood (drop off from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday). American Family Insurance, 4484 N. Oakland Ave. (drop off from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday). Brookfield: Nugget Nation, 12501 W. Bluemound Road (drop off from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday; 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Friday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday). Elm Grove: Bug and Goose Play Cafe, 13448 Watertown Plank Road (drop off from 9 to 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 to 5 p.m. Monday; 8:30 to 10 a.m. and 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday; 9 to 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday; 9 to 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 to 5 p.m. Thursday; 8:30 to 10 a.m., 3:30 to 5 p.m. and 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday; 8:30 to 10 a.m., 3:30 to 5 p.m. and 5:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday; and 9 to 10:30 a.m. Sunday. St. Francis: Taxi and Tide Imaginative Play Space, 4016 S. Packard Ave. (drop off from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. There's a bin by the door. Weekday drop-off times vary. Call 262-902-6402 or email hello@ Mequon: The Play Retreat, 1406 W. Mequon Road, Mequon (check website for drop-off times). Grafton: The Spot Family Play Studio, 1752 Wisconsin Ave. (drop off from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday). Note: There are additional drop-off locations across the area at Kids Impact Community leaders' homes. Specific addresses are sent via email after registering. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Mariah Antetokounmpo leading drive for Milwaukee community baby shower
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Parents push for change after baby's death at Pace in-home day care
Travis and Amanda Seich's search for a day care took a tragic turn that changed their lives forever. Their infant daughter died five years ago in the care of a provider at an in-home day care in Pace. The Milton couple is sharing their story to raise awareness for other families about the difference between regulations for in-home day cares and center-based facilities. On Jan. 22, 2020, their first and at the time only child, Nataley, was a week away from turning five months old. Both parents work full time as physical therapists, and they wanted to find a quality day care. Amanda said several of her co-workers used and recommended Little Munchkins' Home Daycare, an in-home day care located in Pace and operated by Stephanie Williams. It was conveniently located close to the couple's Milton home and Amanda's work. The Seichs said the arrangement was working well until the day Williams called Amanda with tragic news. 'She was hysterical on the phone,' Amanda Seich said. 'I was like, 'What's going on?' She said, 'You need to get here. Nataley isn't breathing.'' Amanda rushed to Williams' home where a deputy confirmed her infant daughter was deceased. Williams told investigators with the Santa Rosa Sheriff's Office and Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) that she had placed the child on a mat on the floor for "tummy time" around 10:30 that morning, then put her on a Boppy pillow when she seemed sleepy. The child care provider told deputies she checked on the infant every half hour but four hours later found her 'unresponsive and cool to the touch.' Williams called 911 and both she and paramedics performed CPR, but Nataley was gone. Authorities determined there was 'no willful intent or culpable negligence' on Williams' part and that Nataley's accidental death in her care did not rise to the level of criminal negligence. No charges were filed against Williams. More child care options needed: Pensacola officials eye former African-American library as new childcare center DCF, which regulates in-home day cares including Williams', also determined negligence was not a factor in the baby's death. 'The department closed the investigation with no indicators of inadequate supervision as to the death of the child, and no substantiated findings as to inadequate supervision as to the caregiver caring for more children than her license allowed,' DCF's 'Fatality Summary' report said, adding that eight children were in Williams' care at the time. Five years later, the Seichs remain convinced Williams was negligent in caring for their daughter and they're sharing their story as a warning to other parents. 'I'm confused on why she was not charged with anything because obviously there's negligence," Amanda said. "I don't think she murdered her. I think there was negligence. She should have known better.' Williams has not returned a call for comment. According to the Medical Examiner's Office, the baby died from positional asphyxia as a result of unsafe sleeping conditions. The M.E. reported that Nataley's nose and mouth had been obstructed by a soft 'Boppy Newborn Lounger' pillow, and her death was accidental. Although Williams told deputies she found the baby face up on the pillow, the medical examiner's report says autopsy evidence shows Nataley died face down and had been that way for some time before she was found. 'Inspection of the Boppy pillow shows an area of dried spit up and a warning tag,' the Medical Examiner's report said. 'The tag includes several warnings indicating that this pillow should not be used for sleep.' The Boppy Newborn Lounger pillow has since been voluntarily recalled by the manufacturer to 'address a risk of infant suffocation,' the recall states. Hot car death: Pensacola day care driver speaks out after acquittal in toddler's hot van death After Williams was cleared of criminal negligence, the Seichs filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Williams and Little Munchkins' Home Daycare. The suit said Williams was negligent for placing their child on a pillow that was clearly marked unsafe for sleeping babies and for not checking on the infant for four hours despite claims she checked on her more often. "Despite these warnings, Williams nor anyone else at the daycare took (Nataley) off of the pillow as she fell asleep," the lawsuit claimed. The Seichs believe that because Williams had several other infants in her care that day and the cribs were full she put Nataley down to sleep in a laundry basket with the Boppy pillow. A small, round laundry basket containing Nataley's belongings and a pee pad was taken into evidence at the scene. 'The first story (Williams gave) was that she placed Nataley on the floor on a Boppy pillow and then later in the investigation she stated that she had placed her just on the mat on the floor. It changed two times,' Amanda said. 'I don't have evidence for this, but I think the Boppy pillow was inside the laundry basket, and she rolled off the pillow and got pinned against the basket, but we could never prove that.' The Seichs' wrongful death lawsuit claimed Nataley had "slipped" from her original position and died face down on the pillow as a result because her airway was cut off. Williams, who did not have insurance coverage for her business, filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection about a year after the lawsuit was filed and as a result the suit was stayed and the Seichs voluntarily dismissed it. They also filed a wrongful death complaint against The Bobby Company, the manufacturer of the pillow Williams used, which was settled for a confidential amount. In Florida, day cares are regulated differently depending on the type of facility they are, and in-home day cares aren't regulated in the same way as center-based facilities. For example, in-home day cares can be "registered" with the state but they are not required to be "licensed" with DCF. Licensed day cares are inspected by DCF three times a year at a minimum to ensure they're following health and safety criteria and meeting the requirements for various child ratios, which ranges depending on the number and age of the children in their care. Registered day cares are not routinely inspected by DCF. Licensed and registered providers take a mostly identical 40 hour training course and both attest that they meet all requirements, but DCF does not perform follow-up inspections on registered day cares like the one Williams operated. According to DCF's website, Williams Family Daycare, LLC, is operating as a home day care at 4764 La Casa Circle in Pace, the same address where Stephanie Williams operated Little Muchkins' Home Daycare when Baby Nataley died. Although it has a license number, DCF says the status is "Registered." No inspection reports of the home are available on the website and there are no reports or a mention of Nataley's death at the day care in 2020. The Seichs say she was back open within days of Nataley's death and has been operating ever since "as if nothing ever happened." Travis Seich said he reached out to DCF about why Williams is allowed to continue operating despite his daughter's death and says he was told that because she is a "registered" in-home day care and not a "licensed' day care, she is not held to the same safety standards and requirements. "During my conversation with the Chief of Licensing for the DCF, she stated that Registered In-Home Daycares are only required to pay their annual fees," Travis said. "No other requirements. No annual inspections. These daycares are only inspected if there is a complaint and usually there is not a follow up to ensure compliance. She also stated that there probably hasn't been a follow up at Stephanie's facility since Nataley's death." Travis said the DCF Chief of Licensing also told him that because Williams was not held criminally liable DCF does not have the authority to shut down her day care unless she fails a criminal background check. 'Not a single parent that I've spoken with was aware that in-home day cares can be "registered" and are not actually licensed,' Travis Seich explained. 'Additionally, I don't think any parent is aware that registered in-home daycares are not annually inspected or are required to follow any safety standards. Most importantly, I doubt they are aware that these registered in-home daycares are not held accountable for their negligence if their child is hurt at one of these daycares, as evidenced by Nataley's death.' The Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County helps families place their children in various learning programs and day care facilities. Executive Director Bruce Watson says day cares can fall into multiple categories of "registered" and "licensed," and each carries different safety and inspection requirements. He said the best place for parents to start is by using "Florida's Child Care Provider Search" on the DCF website. Hard to find affordable day care: Parents facing soaring childcare costs, fewer openings "The bottom line is you've got registered homes, licensed homes, licensed centers and licensed exempt, which is predominantly faith-based," Watson said. "The licensed places are better because they require more inspections and there's just a little more oversight, but anything regulated by DCF is preferable over something that's not regulated at all." The Seichs' attorney said in-home day cares are also not required to carry the same insurance policies that center-based faciliities are required to carry, if at all. "When you're sitting down with people who are going to take care of your kids, you want to see the documents and if they're responsible," personal injury attorney Joe Zarzaur said. "If they're treating it like a real business, they're going to have insurance, they're going to have inspection reports. If they're not willing to show you their insurance and to show you their inspection reports, then maybe you should pick a different place." The Seichs want to see stricter regulations for in-home daycares in hopes other parents never have to experience the same loss. However, he said efforts to address it have gone nowhere because advocates for change anticipate push back from the tens of thousands of registered in-home day cares in the state who may petition against it. 'Nataley made me a father and I felt a sense of joy and love that I've never known," Travis said. "I can't even claim that my heart is broken because it hurts much deeper than that. It feels as though my soul has been shattered and I'm stumbling in the dark attempting to find the pieces. I don't want another parent to experience this same kind of pain. A change needs to happen in these day cares.' This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Milton baby death at Pace in-home day care pushed call for change
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Yahoo
GA parents charged with murder in connection to 6-week-old baby's death
The parents of a 6-week-old infant are now facing murder charges in connection to his death. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Ariel Simmons and Ryan McMilleon, of Columbus, are both charged with murder in the second degree and cruelty to children in the second degree. Police said on March 2, just before 1 p.m., officers responded to a home after an infant was not breathing. The child was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. During the initial investigation, officials said, the child's parents were arrested on unrelated charges. McMilleon was charged with possession of methamphetamine and an outstanding warrant for contempt of court. Simmons was arrested on a warrant for truancy. However, after a thorough investigation, detectives found evidence to support more criminal charges. On March 17, warrants were issued for Simmons and McMilleon, and they were arrested the following day. TRENDING STORIES: During the initial investigation, officials said, the child's parents were arrested on unrelated charges Suspended UGA lineman arrested after crashing car into apartment complex, report says Argument turns into gunfire in Atlanta, 2 men injured ABC-affiliate WTVM spoke with Inv. Bethany Thompson that said once the baby was taken to the hospital, it was too late to save him. 'The doctors advised nurses to stop CPR as the baby was already set in rigor mortis,' Thompson told WTVM. According to WTVM, Thompson said the 6-week-old baby was taken to the hospital wrapped in a sweatshirt along with a pill bottle with Simmons's name on it. According to investigators, meth was inside the bottle, and the baby had serious bruises. 'I observed the child, and there was lividity from possible pressure located on the face, left ear, and the stomach and chest of the baby,' Thompson told WTVM. This means that the baby already had a bluish-purple discoloration of the skin that occurs after death. WTVM states the baby was discovered in the bed after sleeping with his parents. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] 'Ryan stated that Ariel was still asleep when he had woken up, and he had asked where the baby was, looked over and it was over the baby's head. Ryan stated when the blanket was pulled off the baby, the baby was lying flat on a Boppy, a pillow used for nursing, and it was around the baby's head,' said Thompson. Family members told WTVM the two would never harm their child on purpose. 'He would never intentionally hurt his child. He loved his kids very much,' the mother McMillieon said. Defense Attorney Keyanna Marshall said her client, Simmons, is a good mother who made a mistake. 'I think that it came out in court today that the bruises that the baby did get are consistent with co-sleeping. It was truly an accident,' said Marshall.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Yahoo
Mother to face murder charge for infant's 'accidental' death
Feb. 28—WILKES-BARRE — The death certificate for 1-month old Avaya Jade Rasmus-Alberto list the cause of death as asphyxiation due to mechanical compression and the manner of death as accidental. Despite the accidental death finding by a forensic pathologist, the infant's mother, Natalee Michele Rasmus, 19, will face charges of third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment in Luzerne County Court. District Judge Donald Whittaker of Nanticoke forwarded the criminal case against Rasmus to county court following a one-hour preliminary hearing Friday where assistant district attorneys Carly A. Levandoski and Julian Truskowski argued she disregarded safety sleeping practices for her baby. Rasmus, of West Green Street, Nanticoke, was charged by the Pennsylvania State Police at Wilkes-Barre in December alleging she placed her baby face down in a bassinet to sleep against recommendations of medical personnel and pre-natal classes at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center. Rasmus discovered her infant deceased the morning of Oct. 23, 2022, when she picked the baby up to bathe in preparation of a pediatrics appointment. Trooper Caroline Rayeski testified Friday the infant was found in the bassinet slightly on her right side with one arm across the chest and the other arm down to the waist. A Boppy pillow was also in the bassinet. Rayeski said the investigation alleged Rasmus ignored safety sleeping practices for newborns as she placed her baby face down to sleep and the Boppy pillow has a tag warning, "Do not use for sleeping." Rayeski further testified a search of Rasmus' cellular phone uncovered Google searches if it was possible to lay a newborn on the stomach to sleep. Levandoski and Truskowski produced the large Boppy pillow, commonly used to nurse newborns, and the bassinet during the hearing. Rayeski also seized pre-natal literature from Geisinger for parents of newborns stating it is "recommended" to place newborns on their backs to sleep. Chief Public Defender Joseph Yeager who, along with Public Defender Melissa Ann Sulima represent Rasmus, said the death of Avaya was a tragic accident with no criminal intent to harm or kill the baby. Yeager said the pre-natal literature referring to newborn sleep positions are "recommendations," and not mandates. "As the death certificate says, it was an accident. Clearly there was no malice in this accidental death," Yeager argued in an effort to have the entire case, especially the third-degree murder charge, dismissed. Levandoski argued Rasmus "disregarded" instructions from the hospital not to place the infant face down to sleep. "She knowingly disregarded those risks and created an unsafe environment for the baby to sleep," Levandoski argued. Whittaker ruled Levandoski and Truskowski established a case against Rasmus and sent all the charges to county court.
