In a tragic incident that has deeply affected the Memphis community, three employees of a daycare facility have been indicted following the death of a six-year-old girl, Winter Jones. The charges stem from an incident that occurred in August when Winter was left in a sweltering bus for an extended period.
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The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office announced on 11 September that Tametria Norry, the bus driver, Sabrina Powe, the assistant director of Kid University daycare, and Amilya Hardin, a daycare assistant, have been charged with multiple counts. They face charges of aggravated child neglect, criminally negligent homicide, alongside charges related to tampering with governmental records.
The investigation began after emergency services were called to Kid University on 13 August. According to reports, Winter was found unresponsive in the daycare bus and later pronounced dead upon arrival at a local hospital. Her father, Bryan Jones, revealed that an autopsy indicated Winter’s body temperature was an alarming 109 degrees Fahrenheit at the time of her death.
In light of the incident, the Tennessee Department of Human Services performed a fatality inspection at Kid University. Their examination uncovered several violations pertaining to transportation protocols at the daycare. The Department’s findings indicated a lack of compliance with required vehicle inspection protocols after unloading children, inaccuracies in the transportation log, and the absence of necessary walkthroughs to ensure all children had exited the vehicle.
The day Winter lost her life was supposed to be a routine one; she was dropped off at Kid University in the morning with the expectation that she would be taken to Macon Hall Elementary School. Unfortunately, she remained on the bus when the vehicle returned to the daycare, and it was not until around 3 p.m. local time that she was discovered.
In a recent press conference, Winter’s family expressed their devastation, labelling the circumstances surrounding her death as “senseless”. Bryan Jones described the loss as a “nightmare,” lamenting the future moments he would never share with his daughter, such as walking her down the aisle or becoming a grandfather. He emphasised that the tragedy resulted from “absolute negligence” on the part of the daycare staff.
Winter’s mother, Nakia Cloman, recounted the horrifying moment she received the news about her daughter’s condition from the daycare. The panic and despair she experienced during that phone call were evident as she described rushing to the hospital, only to discover that Winter had already passed away. Cloman expressed a desire for changes in the system so that no other family would have to endure such heartache.
The family’s attorneys have stated that they plan to pursue a civil case against the daycare, holding the staff accountable for what they describe as multiple infractions of childcare protocols. One attorney, Walter Bailey, highlighted the significant failures in oversight and care that contributed to this tragedy, affirming the family’s commitment to honouring Winter’s memory through legal action.
In response to the tragedy, Kid University has permanently closed its doors. The facility’s owner, Dr Raven Marshall-Lewis, took immediate action to surrender the daycare’s operating licence in light of the alarming events.
The community has been left reeling from the incident, sparking conversations around the need for stricter regulations and oversight of childcare facilities. Many hope that this tragic event acts as a catalyst for change within the industry to ensure the safety of children left in the care of such establishments.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the memory of Winter Jones continues to resonate with family, friends, and the wider community. The pursuit of justice aims to serve not only as a remembrance of an innocent life lost but also as a stark reminder of the responsibilities entrusted to those who care for children.