27-05-2025
Live: Funeral Tuesday for 16-month-old Maddy after tragic death at Lenoir daycare
LENOIR, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — On Tuesday, the community of Lenoir is gathering to say goodbye to 16-month-old Madolyn 'Maddy' Amara-Serenity Mitchell.
Her funeral is being held on Tuesday afternoon, just over a week after the toddler's sudden and heartbreaking death on her very first day at Creative Beginnings daycare.
The service, set for 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, at Waterlife Church, is expected to draw loved ones, neighbors, and members of a grieving community.
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Court documents and a 911 call released last week revealed the desperate efforts of daycare workers after finding Maddy unresponsive. CPR was attempted. Emergency services were called. But by 3:19 p.m. on May 19, Maddy was gone.
Alexandra Lee Coffey, a 29-year-old employee at the daycare, is now facing felony involuntary manslaughter charges in connection with the case. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has since ordered the immediate shutdown of Creative Beginnings.
Past violations at the daycare point to unsafe sleep practices and inadequate staff training.
Tuesday, though, will not be about investigations or court dates. It's about a little girl who was described 'as a ray of sunshine,' a child who loved Minnie Mouse, toy ducks, and her big brothers. Born on Christmas Day, family says Maddy was a gift.
Tragedy on day one: Newly released 911 call sheds light on Lenoir toddler's death, daycare worker charged
Born on Christmas Day in Hickory, North Carolina, Maddy was a precious gift to her devoted parents, Angel Blankenship and Jovon Mitchell.
The joy she brought into their lives and the lives of those around her was immeasurable. The suddenness of Maddy's passing has left our family utterly heartbroken.
We were not prepared to say goodbye to our sweet Maddy, and her brief presence among us has deepened the devastation of this loss. The absence of her bright spirit will be felt deeply.
Madolyn 'Maddy' Amara-Serenity Mitchell Obituary
As mourners gather at Blue Ridge Memorial Park for her burial, the family has made one request: that no staff from the daycare center attend the services.
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