Deputies identify boy found dead in van outside Oakland Park day care

Noah Sneed, 2, arrived at day care in transport van Monday morning

OAKLAND PARK, Fla. – Broward Sheriff's Office deputies have identified the 2-year-old boy who was found dead inside a white Ford van in the sweltering heat Monday afternoon in Oakland Park.

Noah Sneed was found dead in the van outside Ceressa's Daycare & Preschool on Northwest 21st Avenue.

"Detectives confirmed the toddler had been transported in the van to the facility Monday morning," BSO spokeswoman Keyla Concepcion said. 

After deputies received the 911 call from the day care about 3:30 p.m., paramedics arrived and pronounced Noah dead.

The Broward County Medical Examiner's Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

"Investigators are continuing to interview day care employees and other witnesses to determine the circumstances that led to the death," Concepcion said. 

The van was later towed away on a flatbed truck as evidence.

According to Broward County's Child Care Licensing and Enforcement Division, the facility opens from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., has a capacity for 40 children, offers transportation and is licensed until Sept. 30. 

Records show the last inspection of the facility was April 12. An inspector reported issues Dec. 21 and  July 13. She wrote some areas were not clean, some toddlers were not wearing shoes and some staff had not completed training requirements. 

Ceressa's Enrichment and Empowerment Academy Inc. is a corporation registered under Linda Harris since 2011. The company doesn't own the property. Harris could not be reached for comment.

BSO Detective John Curcio is asking anyone with information about Noah's death to call him at 954-321-4210 or Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.


About the Authors

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.

Janine Stanwood joined Local 10 News in February 2004 as an assignment editor. She is now a general assignment reporter. Before moving to South Florida from her Washington home, Janine was the senior legislative correspondent for a United States senator on Capitol Hill.

Recommended Videos