FLORISSANT, Mo. – A four-month-old died Tuesday under reported mysterious circumstances at an unlicensed home daycare.
First responders arrived at the residence on Du Bourg Lane in Florissant around 5 p.m.
“When our paramedics arrived, they found the child unresponsive with CPR compressions being done by the provider on scene,” Deputy Chief Mark Flauter, Florissant Valley Fire Protection District, said.
Flauter said the daycare provider reported putting the infant in a bouncer seat.
“What was relayed in the report was that she came to check on the child, found the child unresponsive in the chair, and called 911,” Flauter said.
Florissant police are now investigating, as is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), which regulates child care facilities.
“This child care provider is unlicensed. Unlicensed providers are permitted to care for no more than six children; this provider had 12 children in their care at the time of the incident,” a DESE spokesperson told FOX 2.
Florissant police told us it’s too early in the investigation for its department to talk.
We spoke to a half dozen neighbors, all who wanted to remain anonymous – and all who said the daycare has operated for years.
We were met with only silence at the home today, with no one coming or going. We were able, however, to reach the daycare provider via Facebook. Judy Fields wrote us via Facebook Messenger, “No comment at this time. My condolences to the parents and family.”
Deputy Chief Flauter added that his department brought in a critical incident stress debriefing team to provide emotional support to responding paramedics who needed it.
“…Especially for the members here who have young kids. It can really take an emotional toll on them,” he said.
